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- V 



HISTORY 



OF THE 



AMERICAN RETOL.UTION; 



INTENDED AS A 



READING BOOK 



SCHOOLS. 



BY SAMUEL WILLIAMS, LL. D. 

Author. of the History of Vermont. 



THIRTEENTH STEREOTYPE EDITION. 



BTEW-HAYEN: 

PUBLISHED BY WILLIAM STORER, JUN. 
1831. 



/ 



■ M 13 




J^orthern District of JVew- York, to wit : 

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the eighteenth day of 
April, in tlie forty-seventh year of the Independence of thf 
1['A United States of America, A. D. 1823, William Storer, 
ryjvfj Junior, of the said district, has deposited in this office the 
, -.__3^y title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, ia 
^'■'"'''^'^^ the words following, to wit: "A History of the American 
Kevolution; Intended as a Reading-Book for Schools. By Samuel WiUianis, 
LL. D." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, en- 
titled, "An' act for tlie encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of 
maps, charts, and books, to the autliors and proprietors of such copies, during 
the times therein mentioned ;" and also, to the act entitled " An act, supple- 
mentary to an act, entitled ' An act for the encouragement of learning, by se- 
curing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietor^ of 
such copies, during the times therein mentioned,' and extending the benefits 
thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and othci' 
w-lnts." 

RICHARD R. LANSING, Clerk 
of the J^artkem District of JV'ew York. 



PREFACE. 



To render more perfect our knowledge of any 
particular country or government, together with the 
•{iolitlcal principles by which they are actuated in 
ilie management of their national affairs, it is high- 
ly important that we should make ourselves acquaint- 
ed with their origin, and the causes which induced 
liieir estiibJishment as an independent nation. And 
when this knowledge relates to our own country, it 
hccomes doubly important and interesting. 

Strange as it may seem, there has never been in- 
troduced into our schools, a short, comprehensive, 
jind cheap history of the American revolution and 
war — an event which gave birth to an independent 
nation,- and tilled the gazing w^orld with astonish- 
ment — an event which taught the sovereigns of Eu- 
rope that their system of enslaving the world was 
ill founded and chimerical; that there was sufficient 
energy, in at least a part of the human race, to as- 
sert their rights, and, thus asserted, to maintain them 
— an event which ought to be held in sacred re- 
membrance by the citizens of this great republic, 



JV PREFACE. 

and handed down, from one generation to another, 
to the lati3st posterity. 

The more common accounts of this great and 
important occurrence, which have been pubUshed, 
are attached to large and expensive volumes, which 
cannot . owned but by a small portion of the com- 
munity, who are favoured with the possession of 
wealth. These volunies are usually devoted to ge- 
neral subjects, among which, the American revolu- 
tion is occasionally crowded in ; and, from the mag- 
nitude of the volume, it is not unfrequently suffered 
to remain unmolested in the library, even by those 
who have been able to purchase it. 

And why has the American public been suffered 
to remain so long without a work of this kind, com- 
prised in such a form that it may be in the posses- 
sion of every family? This question cannot be an- 
swered, without giving the blush to every enlighten- 
ed American. Shall it be said, that we have not 
sufficient respect for the exertions of our ancestors, 
who gloriously offered their blood a willing sacrifice 
on the altar of Freedom, that we their sons, might 
enjoy the blessings of liberty and independence ? 
Humiliating as is such a reflection, yet (from the si- 
lence and obscurity in which this subject has been 
suffered to remain) it appears but too justly to attach 
itself to us as a people. 

That the rising generation be made acquainted 
with the leading events which produced our separa- 
tion from the crown of Great Britain, and our es- 



PREFACE. V 

tablishment as an independent nation, is an object 
of the utmost importance. The same causes which 
impelled our forefathers to declare to the world, that 
"these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, 
free and independent states," still continue to urge 
the necessity of instilling into the minds of our 
youth the principles of republicanism — a love of 
liberty — and a hatred and abhorrence of tyranny. 

Next to the Bible, the History of the American 
Revolution is most deservedly entitled to the atten- 
tion and reverence of the youth of our country. 
Here they may be made acquainted with the impo- 
sitions and oppressions to which their ancestors were 
subject, while these United States were colonies de- 
pendent on the British crown. Here may be found 
a detail of the causes which led to the publication of 
that sacred instrument, the Declaration of American 
Independence. Here is preserved and laid down, a 
narrative of the privations and hardships which our 
fathers, the soldiers of the revolution, suffered and 
endured, to maintain and establish that independence. 

While in our schools and seminaries of learning, 
the rising generation are taught those branches of 
literature which are to fit them for the various du- 
ties to be performed under the government, either 
as officers or private citizens, a history of the origin 
and principles of that government should not be 
neglected. A work of this kind has long been want- 
ed in our common schools — and to si^pply this de- 
fect, the present volume is intended. It was written 
1* 



VI ' ^ PREFACE. 

as early as the year 1795; but was never before 
published, except in the montlily Jiumbers of a pe- 
riodical work of that day. From its earl}^ date, and 
the acknowledged correctness of Dr. Williams as a 
liistorian, it may be considered as a Uiie and faithful 
narratiye. 

The publisher has spared no pains to make a 
proper division of the subject into chapters and sec- 
tions, the better to ht it for the purpose for vrhich it 
is intended — a reading-book for our common schools. 
We have also added, at the close of the volume, 
several orders and addresses of Gen. Wasbington, 
and other documents published at the conclusion of 
the war; together with the Constitution of tlie 
United States, and ail the amendments which liave 
been made to that instrument since its first adoption. 
These additions, it is hoped, will contribute to ren- 
der the work still more useful and interesting. 

THE PUBLISHER. 

J^ezc-Haven, March, 1624. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I.— Introduction.— State of the colonies after 
the war of 1763. — Their opinion of themselves. — Their 
industry and enterprise. — Good g-overnment of them- 
selves. — Speculation on the cause of the war. — Obnox- 
ious bills passed by Parliament. — Agreement not to im- 
port British g-oods. . . . . Pctgc 13 

CHAPTER n.— Stamp act.— Ferment among- the Ame- 
ricans. — Stamp act repealed. — Opinion of t)^. Frank- 
lin. — Spirit of independence manifested. — Duty on 
Sea, &;c. — Disturbances increase. — Assembly of Massa- 
chusetts prorog-ued. , . . . 18 

CHAPTER HI.— Tum.ult at Boston.— Dissohition of the 
assembly. — People form a convention. — Arrival of 
troops from England. — Parliament address the king. — 
Affray between the soldiers and Bostonians. — llepeal 
of duties. — Kew assembly. — Disavowal of the supre- 
macy of parliament. . . .' , 23 

CHAPTER IV.— Destruction of tea in Boston har- 
bour. — The king recommends vigorous measures for 
the subjection of the colonies. — Port bill.— Canada biU. 2S 

CHAPTER V. — Opposition in Massachusetts to Judge 
Oliver. — Arrival of Gen. Gage. — Assembly removed 
to Salem. — General congress proposed. — Assembly 
again dissolved. — Solemn league and covenant of the 
Bostonians. — Governor's proclamation. . 32 

CHAPTER VI. — Meetingof the first congress. — Appro- 
val of the conduct of Massachusetts. — Letter to Gen. 
Gage. — Declaration of Rights. — Petition to the king, 
&c. — Increase of the British forces. — Opposition to tlie 
courts — Thirst for military knowledge. . . 38 

CHAPTER VII.- Gen. Gage fortifies Boston neck.— 
Indignation of the citizens. — General meeting of the 
inhabitants of the adjacent towns. — Vigorous measures 
recommended. — Governor calls a general assembly. — 



nil CONTENTS. 

Assembly vote themselves inta a provincial congress. — 
Difficulty ofproviding-shelterand clothing for the British 
troops. — Provincials provide money and arms for an 
army— Public stores at Newpoivt seized. . 39 

CHAPTER VIIL— Congress at Cambridge.— Minute 
men organized. — British attempt the seizure of arms 
at vSalem. — Commencement of hostilities at Lexington. 
— Destruction of military stores at Concord. — British 
retreat, with considerable loss, to Boston. — Americans 
collect 20,000 men, and block up the town of Boston. — 
Arrival of a reinforcement from England. — Battle of 
Bunker's Hill. — Charlestown burnt. . 43 

CHAPTER IX.— General determination to resist the 
measures of the British government. — Rejection of Lord 
North's conciliatory scheme. — Congress resolve to esta- 
blish an army and paper currency. — Crown-point and 
Ticonderoga surprised and taken by Colonels Allen and 
Eaton. — Articles of confederation drawn up and agreed 
to in congress. — Canadians resolve to preserve a neu- 
trality. ...... 49 

CHAPTER X. — Britain attempts to engage the Indians 
in her cause. — Address of congress to the Indians, by 
which they are engaged to preserve a neutrality. — ' 
George VVashington appointed commander-in-chief of 
the American forces. — Georgia joins the confederacy. 
— Conquest of Canada contemplated. — Reduction of 
Chamblee. — St. John taken by the Americans. — Mon- 
treal, and the British shipping there, surrender to the 
Americans. . . . . .56 

CHAPTER XI.~Col. Arnold arrives at (Quebec with a 
small force. — General Montgomery also arrives. — The 
combined army attack Quebec. — General Montgomery 
killed. — Col. Arnold wounded.— Part of the Americans 
surrender. — Col. Arnold created brigadier-general. — 
Dispute between the Virginians and Lord Dunmore, 
who abandons the government of the colony. — League 
with the Ohio Indians. ... 61 

CPIAPTER XII.— Norfolk burnt by the British.— The 
governors of the Carolinas expelled the provinces. — 
Gen. .Gage resigns his command to Gen. Howe. — 
Gen. Washington attacks Boston. — Evacuation of the 
town by the British. Declaration of Independence. — 
Second attack on Quebec proves unsuccessful. — Ame- 
ricans retire from Quebec. • . . 69 



VA 



CONTENTS. IX 

CHAPTER Xin.— Affair at Sorel, and Gen. Thomp- 
son taken prisoner. — Americans retreat from Canada.- — 
Success of the Americans in N. Carolina and Virg-inia 
—Arrival of a British fleet at Charleston. S. C— Battle 
on Sullivan's Island. ... "7 

CHAPTER XIV.— Com. Hopkins sails to tlie Bahama 
Islands, and takes the ordnance and military stores. — 
Jiord Howe arrives before New-York with a British 
fleet.— Gen. Howe attempts a reconciliation. — Ameri- 
cans defeated near Flatbiish, L. I. — Retreat from Long 
Island. Gen. Sullivan sent on an unsuccessful mission 
to congress. — British gain possession of New-York. 

CHAPTER XV.— Great fire in New-York.— Battle at 
White Plains. — Forts in the neighbourhood of New- 
York reduced by tlie British. — New-Jersey taken pos- 
session of by the British. — Sir Henry Clinton reduces 
Rhode Island. — British fit a fleet on Lake Champlaiu 
Battle on the Lake. 

Cf I AFTER XVL— Decrease of the American army. ■• 
Qen. Lee taken prisoner. — British defeated at Trenton, 
and the tide of war turned in favour of America. - 
iJetrcat of the Americans from Trenton. — Party o; 
British defeated at Princeton. — Fall of Gen. Mercer. 
Danbury, Conn, burnt.— Gen. Wooster killed. — Sag 
Harbour taken by the Americans. — British Gen. Pros 
cot taken prisoner. — Battle at Brandy wine, orciik- 
Marquis de la Fayette wounded. 



93 



C R AFTER XVII— Philadelphia taken by the British- 
Battle at Germantown. — Destruction of two Briti^ih 
siiips of war. — Americans abandon Mud Island, and 
Red Bank,— Gen. Burgoyne's army reinforced. — Sicg-e 
of Ticonderoga. — Disaster of the Americans near 
Skeenesborough. — Americans retire to Fort Edward. — 
British army approaches Fort Edward. — Head-quarters 
of the American army formed at Saratoga. — Gen. Ar- 
nold takes station at Stillwater. — Col. St. Leger besieges 
Fort Stanwix; is deserted by the Indians ; and retreats 
with loss. . . . lOi 

f'HAPTEF XVIII.— Gen. Burgoyne determines on re- 
tlucing Bennington. — Brave defence of that place by 
the Americans under Gen. Stark. — British army en- 
camp near Saratoga, and are attacked afid beaten by 
the Americans. — Gen. Eraser killed. — Gen. Arnold 
wounded. — Col. Breyman killed. — The Germans de- 
feated with great slaughter, — Distress of tlie British 



X CONTENTS. 

army, for want of provisions, &c. — Gen. Burgoyne 
surrenders to Gen. Gates, by capitulation. — American 
works on tiie North river destroyed by Gen. Clinton. 
Esopus burnt. . . . los 

CHAPTER XIX — Treaty with France.— Favourable 
disposition of European powers. — Gov. Johnstone at- 
teinpts to bribe members of cong-ress. — Evacuation of 
Philaaelphia. — Battle at Freehold.— Gen. Lee tried for 
disobedience of orders, and suspended from his com- 
mand. — Count d'Estaing- arrives v/ith a fleet and troops 
from France. — Expedition against Rhode-Island. — De- 
struction of American vessels, magazines, &lc. at Buz- 
zard's Bay. — Ca|)turo of sheep and :;attle at IMartha's 
Vineyard.— American cavalry defeated on the North 
River. — Little Eg-g- Harbour reduced by the British. — 
Pulaski's ieg-ion surprised, and put to the sword. 115 

CM AFTER XX.— American expedition to West-Flori- 
da. — British expedition to Gcorp^ia. — Savannali taken. 
Georg-ia m possession'of the British. — Americans de- 
feated at Briar's Creek. — British g-ain possession of 
St. James', St. John's, and Fort Royal.— Counfd'Es- 
tain^ sails to the West-Indies; is recalled to the United 
States; contemplates the recovery of Georgia; an-ives 
otf t!io coast, and cp '> r- -cvoral vessels; Summons 
(ien. Prevost to si': . annah. — The town as- 

saulted. — Count P>-.,, ■lied. — Count d'Estaing' 

wounded. . , . 123 

CHAPTER XX.I.-Ev-^ (i'M porainst Virg-inia.— Ves- 
sels, stores, ciic. at r '; deslroj'cd. — American 
wo)-ks at Vcrpiank's , ;, Point reduced by the 
liritish. — Exueditiou to Connecticut. — Shipping- and na- 
val stores at Nevv-Haven destroyed. — Fairlicld, Nor- 
walk, and Greenfield burnt. — Storming- of Stony Point. 
Unsuccessful attempt on Powles Hook. — American 
expedition to Penobscot river. — Spain joins the conted- 
er.ijcy ag-ainst Great Britain, arid invades West-Florida. 
Military and naval operations there. Gen. Sullivan's 
ex.peJit'ion against the Indiaas. — Indians defeated. 130 

CHAPTER XXII.— Sir Henry Clinton sails to Charles- 
ton, S. C. with troops and armed ships, to aid in the at- 
tack on that place.— Charleston attacked.. — An.erican 
cavalry and militia defeated.— British under Ijieut. Col. 
I'arletJon deteated. — Charleston surrendered to the 
Biitish. — Harbour of Now- York shut up by the ice. — 
Unsuccessful expedition to Slaten Island. --Geu. Clin- 
ton's proelamalioiis. I3<5 



CONTENTS. XI 

CHxlPTER XXIII.— Conj^ress continue to meet in Phil- 
adeipiiiu. — Resolution to erect a monument to the me- 
mory of Gen. Monlg^omery. — Depreciation of continen- 
tal currency. — Celebration ofthe4thof July at Philadel- 
jihia. — M. Ternay arrives with a fleeX and troops from 
France. — Unsuccessful expedition to New-Jersey. — 
Defeat of the Americans, under General Gates, in 
South-Carolina. — Americans under General Sumptcr 
defeated. . . . . * . 143 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Treachery of Gen. Arnold, who 
joins the British army. — Major Andre taken and exe- 
cuted as a spy. — Defeat of the Brilishand tories under 
Major Ferguson. — Gen. Sumpterag-ain defeated. — Mr. 
Laurens taken and confined in London, on a charg-e of 
hig-h treason.- Disturbance among- the Pennsylvania 
troops. — Deieat of the British under Col. Tarleton. 149 

CHAPTER XXV.— Lord Cornwallis crosses North-Ca- 
rolina, and erects the king-'s standard at Hillsborough- 
Tories defeated by the Americans. — British under Gen. 
Arnold destroy stores, &c. Richmond. ^-Cannon foun- 
dry ai Weslhajii deslioyed. — British enter Wilming- 
ton — Battle beiween t!ie British under Lord Cornwallis 
and Americans u'nder Gen. Greene, in which the latter 
is defeated. — Gen. Greene ag-ain defeated by Lord 
Rawdon. — Destruction of stores, &c. in various parts 
of Virginia. ... . 1.56 

CHAPTER XXVr.— Action between the French and 
English fleets, o(r" the Capes of Virginia. — Americans 
defeated under Lieut. Col. Simcoe. — Action near the 
Green Sfirings— Action at Eutaw Springs. — New-Lon* 
don, in Conn. 1 iit iit by the British. — Fort Griswold ta- 
ken. — Gen. Washington marches toward Virginia. — 

' Lord Cornwallis takes post at Yorktown and Glouces- 
ter. ....... 164 

CHAP. XXVn.— Action between the French and En- 
> g-lish fleets in the Chesapeake. — Gen. Washington 
blocks up the British army at Yorktown. — Sir Henry 
Clmton sails to the Chesapeake with a large body of 
British troops. — Surrender of the British army under 
Lord Cornwallis. — Inveteracy of the tories. — Sir Guy 
Carletop ar ives at New-York, and negotiations for 
peace are opened. — Georgia and South-Carolina evac- 
uated by the British. — Great Britain acknowledges the 
independence of America. — British troops evacuate 
Kew-York. — Conclusion of the war. . . 16© 



xu CONTENTS. 

APPENDIX. 

General Order, issued by Gen. Washington, on the cessa- 
tion of hostilities. .... 17*7 

Address of Congress to Gen. Washington. , JSO 

General Washington's Answer. . , i81 

Farewell Orders of Gen. Washington to toe armies of the i, 

United States. . . . isj !, 

The Answer. . . , . ]9g 

Address of Gen. Washington to Congress on resigning his 
military commission. . . . 189 

The Answer. . .190 

The Constitution of the United States- . . 191 

Amendments to the Constitution of the United State*. 20 



A 

HISTORY 

OF THE 

AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 



CHAPTER I. 

Introduction. — State of the colonies after the war of 1763. — 
Their opinion of themselves. — Their industry and enter- 
prise. — Good government of themselves. — Speculation on 
the cause of the war. — Obnoxious bills passed by Parlis*. 
ment. — Agreement not to import British goods. 

IT has hitherto been remarked, that the beginning of 
every political establishment is contemptible. Some 
few banditti, taking refuge among the marshes on the 
banks of the Tiber, laid the foundation of the Roman 
empire : and it may, perhaps, be said, that the turbu- 
lence of some North-Americans, and the blunders of 
some British statesmen, gave birth to this new republic, 
which, at some future period, bids fair to surpass even 
the splendour of Rome. 

The state of the British colonies at the conclusion of 
the war in 1763, was such as attracted the attention of 
all the politicians in Europe. Their flourishing condi- 
tion at that period was remarkable and striking: their 
trade had prospered in the midst of ull the difficulties 
and distresses of a war in which they were so nearly 
and so immediately concerned. Their population con- 
tinued on the increase, notwithstanding the ravages and 
depredations that had been so fiercely carried on by the 
French, and the iiative Indians in their alliance. They 
abounded with spirited and active individuals of all de- 
2 



14 HISTORY OF THE 

nominations. They were flushed with the uncommon 
prosperity that had attended them, in their commercial 
affairs and military transactions. Hence they were 
ready for all kinds of undertakings, and saw no limits to 
their hopes and expectations. 

As they entertained the highest opinion of their value 
and importance, and of the immense benefit that Britain 
derived from its connexion with them, their notions 
were adequately high in their own favour. They deemed 
themselves, not without reason, entitled to every kind- 
ness and indulgence which the mother country could 
bestow. 

Although their pretensions did not amount to a per- 
fect equality of advantages and privileges in matters of 
commerce, yet in those of government they thought 
themselves fully competent to the task of conducting 
their domestic concerns, with little or no interference 
from abroad. Though willing to admit the supremacy 
of Great Britain, they viewed it with a suspicious eye, 
and with a marked desire to restrain it within its strict 
constitutional boundaries. 

Their improvements in all the necessary and useful 
arts, did honour to their industry and ingenuity. Though 
they did not live in the luxury of Europe, they had all 
the solid and substantial enjoyments of life, and were 
not unacquainted with many of its elegancies and refine- 
ments. 

A circum.stance much to their praise, is, that, not- 
withstanding their peculiar addiction to those occupa- 
tions of which lucre is the sole object, they were duly 
attentive to cultivate the field of learning; and they 
have, ever since their foundation, been particularly 
careful to provide for the education of the rising pro- 
geny. 

Their vast augmentation of internal trade and exter- 
nal commerce, was not merely owing to their position 
and facility of communication with other parts ; it arose 
also from their natural turn and temper, full of schemes 
and projects ; ever aiming at new discoveries, and con- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 15 

tinually employed in the search of means of improving 
their condition. 

Their enterprise carried tlicm into every quarter from 
whence profit could be derived. There was scarcely any 
port of the American hemisphere, to which they had 
not extended their navigation. They were continually 
exploring new sources of trade, and were found in every 
spot where business could be transacted. 

To this extensive and incessant application to com- 
merce, they added an equal vigilance in the administra- 
tion of their affairs at home. Whatever could conduce 
to the amelioration of the soil they possessed, to the 
progress of agriculture, or to the improvement of their 
domestic circumstances, was attended to ^vith so much 
labour and care, that it may be strictly said, that nature 
had given them nothing of which they did not make the 
most. 

In the midst of this solicitude and toil in matters of 
business, the affairs of government were conducted with 
steadiness, prudence, and lenity, seldom experienced, 
and never exceeded, in the best regulated countries of 
Europe. 

Such was the situation of the British colonies in gen- 
eral throughout North-America, and of the New-Eng- 
land provinces in particular, when the pacification above 
m.entioned opened one of the most remarkable scenes 
that ever commanded the attention of the world. 

In treating of the American revolution, it has become 
a fashion with the English writers, to ascribe that event 
to the successful intrigues of the French governmenL 
Instead of contemplating it with the characteristic phi- 
losophy of their country; as the result of a contest be- 
tween the desire of power, and the abhorrence of op- 
pression, they have sought the origin of the evil in any 
source rather than their own misconduct ; and have 
endeavoured, at once, to hush the reproaches of tlieir 
political conscience, and to gratify the cravings of their 
national animosity, in wild conjectures of a scheme 
formed by their neighbours to divide the British empire. 



16 HISTORY or THE 

and in declamatory invectives against the Gallic faith 
and honour. 

Thus it has been repeatedly asserted, that the French 
having long viewed, with equal envy and apprehension, 
the flourishing state of the colonies which Britain had 
founded in America, began Immediately after the peace 
of Paris, to carry into execution their project for sepa- 
rating those colonies from the mother country. Secret 
emissaries, it is said, were employed in spreading dis- 
satisfaction among the colonists ; and the effects pro- 
duced by these machinating spirits are described to have 
been a rapid diminution of that peculiar warmth of at- 
tachment, which the inhabitants of North-America had 
hitherto demonstrated for the mother country ; the ex- 
citement of a jealousy which led them to view her rather 
in the light of a sovereign than of a parent ; and the 
introduction of a hostile policy, which taught them to 
examine, with a scrupulous nicety, the nature of those 
ties that rendered them parts of her empire. 

That such emissaries were ever employed, is a fact 
unsupported by any document which the purity of his- 
torical truth can admit ; and, although the effects here 
described have certainly appeared, it must be remem- 
bered, that their appearance followed, but did not pre- 
cede, the attempts of Britain upon the rights and liber- 
ties of America. By mere artifice and adch'ess, to have 
alienated the affections of the colonists from their 
mother country, at the close of a war in which their in- 
terests and feelings had been interwoven with more than 
usual strenii'th and energy, was a task of infinite difficul- 
ty, not surely to be accomplished in the short period be- 
tween the declaration of peace in 176 1 , and the promulga- 
tion of the first obnoxious acts of the British parliament 
in 1764. 

But, if we trace these effects to another cause — to a 
love of liberty, and a quick sense of injury, their ap- 
pearance will be natural and just, consistent with the 
American character, and coresponding with the con- 
duct which was displaved in all the vicissitudes that at- 
tended the revolt. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 17 

In March, 1764, a bill was passed, by which heavy 
duties were laid on goods imported by the colonists from 
such West India islands as did not belong to Great 
Britain ; at the same time that these duties were to be paid 
into the exchequer in specie : and in the same session 
another bill was framed, to restrain the currency of paper 
money in the colonies themselves. Not only the prin- 
ciple of taxation, but the mode of collection, was con-, 
sidered as an unconstitutional and oppressive innovation ; 
for the penalties incurred by an infraction of the acts of 
parliament, might be recovered in the courts of admiralty, 
before a single judge, (whose salary was the fruit of the 
forfeitures he decreed,) without trial by jury, or any of 
tlie other benefits of common law jurisprudence. 

These acts, coming so close to each other, threw the 
whole continent into the utmost ferment. Vehement 
remonstrances were made to the ministry, and evci-y 
argument made use of that reason or ingenuity couid 
suggest, but to no pui^ose. Their reasoning, however, 
convinced a great number of people in Britain ; and 
thus the American cause came to be considered as the 
cause of liberty. 

The Americans, finding all argumentation vain, at last 
united in an agreement to import no more of the manu- 
factures of Great Britain, but to encourage, to the utmost 
of their power, every thing of that kind among them- 
selves. Thus the British manufacturers alio became a 
party against the ministry, and did not fail to express 
their resentment in the strongest terms ; but the ministry 
were not to be so easily daunted, and therefore proceeded 
to the last step of their intended plan, which was to 
lay on stamp duties throughout the continent. Previous 
to this, indeed, several regulations were passed in favour 
of the commerce of the colonies ; but they had now 
imbibed such unfavourable sentiments of the British 
ministry, that they paid very little regard to any thing 
pretended to be done in their favour; or, if these acts 
made any favourable impression, it was quickly obli- 
terated by the news of the stamp act. 

The reason given for this act, so exceedingly obnox- 
2* 



18 HISTORY Oi^ fUt 

ious, was, that a sum might be raised sufficient for the 
defence of the colonies against a foreign enemy ; but 
this pretence was so far from giving any satisfaction to 
the Americans, that it excited their indignation to the 
utmost degree. They not only asserted that they were 
abundantly able to defend themselves against any foreign 
enemy, but denied that the British parliament had any 
right to tax them at all. 



CHAPTER II. 

Stamp act. — Ferment among- the Americans. — Stamp act re- 
pealed. — Opinion of Dr. Franklin. — Spirit of independence 
manifested. — Duty on tea, &c. — Disturbances increase. — 
Assembly of Massachusetts prorogued. 

IT would be superfluous to enter into any arguments 
used by the contending parties on this important occa- 
sion. It was evident that the matter was not to be de- 
cided by argument, but by force of arms ; and the British 
ministry, too confident of the authority and power of 
that country, determined to carry on matters with a high 
hand, to terrify the colonies into an implicit subjection, 
or, if that would not do, to compel them to it by force. 
The stamp act, after a violent opposition in parliament, 
was passed ; and its reception in America was such as 
might have been expected; 

The news, and the act itself, arrived first at Boston, 
xvhere the bells Avere muffled and rung a funeral peal. 
The act was first hawked about the streets with a 
death's head affixed to it, and styled " The folly of 
England, and the ruin of America ;" and afterwards 
publicly burnt by the enraged populace. The stamps 
themselves were seized and destroyed, unless brought 
by men of war, or kept in fortified places ; those who 
were to receive the stamp duties were compelled to 
resign their offices ; and such of the Americans as sided 
with government on this occasion, had their houses 
plundered and burnt. 

Though these outrages were committed by the low- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 19 

est of the multitude, they were first connived at by 
those of superior rank, and the principles on which they 
were founded afterwards openly patronised by them ; 
and the doctrine became general and openly avowed, 
that Britain had no right whatever to tax the colonies 
without their own consent. 

The ministry now found it absolutely necessary either 
to yield to the Americans, by repealing the obnoxious 
statutes, or to enforce them by arms. The ferment 
had diffused itself universally throughout the colonies. 
Virginia first, and afterwards all the rest of the provinces, 
declared against the right of Britain to lay taxes in 
America ; and that every attempt to vest others with 
this power, besides the king, or the governor of the pro- 
vince and his general assembly, was illegal, unconstitu- 
tional, and unjust. 

Non-importation agreements were every where en- 
tered into, and it was even resolved to prevent the 
sale of any more British goods after the present year. 
American manufactures, though dearer, as well as of an 
inferior quality to the British, were universally pre- 
ferred. An association was entered into against the eat- 
ing of lamb, in order to promote the growth of wool ; 
and the ladies with cheerfulness agreed to renounce 
the use of every species of ornament manufactured in 
Britain. 

Such a general and alarming confederacy determined 
the ministry to repeal some of the most obnoxious 
statutes ; and to this they were the more inclined by a 
petition from the first American congress, held at New- 
York, in October, 1765. 

The stamp act was therefore repealed, to the univer* 
sal joy of the Americans, and indeed to the general sa- 
tisfaction of the English, whose manufactures had begun 
to suffer very severely in consequence of the American 
association against them. 

The disputes on the subject, however, were by no 
means silenced without doors, but each party continued 
to argue the case as violently as before. The celebrated 
Dr. Benjamin Franklin was on this occasion examined 



■^ HISTORY or THE 

before the British house of commons — and his opinion 
was in substance as follows : 

" That the tax in question was impracticable and 
ruinous. The very attempt had so far alienated the 
affections of the colonies, that they behaved in a less 
friendly manner towards the natives of England than 
before ; considering the whole nation as conspiring 
against their liberty, and the parliament as willing rather 
to oppress than to support and assist them. America, 
in fact, did not stand in any need of British manu- 
factures, having already begun to construct such as 
might be deemed absolutely necessary, and that with 
such success as left no doubt of their soon arriving at 
perfection. 

" The elegancies of dress had already been re- 
nounced for manufactures of the American kind, though 
much inferior ; and the bulk of the people, consisting 
of farmers, were such as could in no way be affected 
by the want of British commodities, having every ne- 
cessary within themselves. Materials of all kinds 
were to be had in plenty ; — the wool was fine, flax 
grew in great abundance, and iron was every where 
to be met with." 

Dr. Franklin also insisted, «' that the Americans had 
been greatly misrepresented ; that they had been tra- 
duced as void of gratitude and affection to the parent 
state, than which nothing could be more contrary to 
truth. In the war of 1755 they had, at their own ex- 
pense, raised an army of 25,000 men ; and in that of 
1739, they assisted the British expeditions against 
South-America, with several thousand men, and had 
made many brave exertions against the French in 
North-America. 

" It was said that the war of 1755 had been under- 
taken in defence of the colonies ; but the truth was, 
that it originated from a contest about the boundary 
line between Canada and Nova-Scotia, and in defence 
of the right of the English to trade on the Ohio. 

" The Americans, however, would still continue to 
act with their usual fidelity j and were any war to 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 21 

break out, in which they had no interest, they would 
show themselves as ready as ever to assist the parent 
state to the utmost of their power ; and they would never 
fail to manifest their readiness in contributing to the 
emergencies of government, when called upon in a re- 
gular and constitutional manner." 

The ministry %vere conscious that in repealing this 
obnoxious act, they yielded to the Americans ; and 
therefore, to support, as they thought, the dignity of 
Great-Britain, it was judged proper to publish a de- 
claratory bill, in which was set forth the authority of 
the mother country over her colonies, and her power 
to bind them by laws and statutes, in all cases ivhatso- 
ever. 

This much diminished the joy with which the repeal 
of the stamp act was received in America. It was con- 
sidered as establishing the ground upon which any claim 
might be enforced equally prejudicial with the stamp 
act ; and a spirit of jealousy pervaded the whole con- 
tinent, in so much that a sti'ong party was formed, watch- 
ful on every occasion to guard against any arbitrary en- 
croachments of the British power. 

It was not long before an occasion offered, in which 
*:he Americans manifested a spirit of absokite independ- 
ence, virtually declaring that instead of being bound by the 
British legislature in all cases, they would not be con- 
irolled by it in the most trivial affairs. This was in con- 
sequence of an act passed by the Rockingham ministry, 
providing the British troops stationed in different parts 
of the colonies with such accommodations as were ne- 
cessary for them. 

The assembly of New-York, however, took upon 
them to alter the mode of execution prescribed by the 
act of parliament, and to substitute one of their own. 
This gave very great offence to the new ministry, and 
rendered them (though composed of those who had 
been active against the stamp bill) less favourable to the 
colonies than they would, in all probability, otherwise 
have been. 

An unlucky circumstance at this time occurred, which 



22 HISTORY OF THE 

threw every thing once more into confusion. One of 
the new ministry, Mr. Charles Townsend, having de- 
clared that he could find a way of taxing the Americans 
without giving them offence, was called upon to propose 
his plan. This was by imposing a duty upon tea, paper, 
paints and glass, imported to America. 

The conduct of the New- York assembly respecting 
the troops, and that of Boston, which had proceeded in 
a similar manner, caused this bill to meet with less op- 
position than it otherwise might have done. 

As a punishment to the refractory assemblies, the 
legislative power was taken from that of New- York, 
until they should fully comply with the terms of the act. 
That of Boston at last submitted with reluctance. The 
bill for the new taxes was quickly passed, and sent to 
America in 1768. 

A ferment, much greater than that occasioned by the 
stamp act, now took place throughout the continent. 
The populace renewed their outrages, and those of 
superior station entered into regular combinations 
against it. Circular letters were sent from Massachu- 
setts to all her sister colonies, setting forth the injus- 
tice and impropriety of the acts of the British parlia- 
ment. 

Meetings were held in all the principal towns, in 
which it was proposed to lessen the consumptiou of 
foreign manufactures, by giving proper encourage- 
ment to their own. Continual disputes ensued be- 
twixt the governors and general assemblies of their 
provinces, which were much heightened by a letter 
from Lord Shelburn to Governor Barnard of Ptlassa- 
chusetts, containing complaints of the people he gov- 
erned. 

The assembly, exasperated to the highest degree, 
charged their governor with having misrepresented 
them to the court of Britain, requiring him to produce 
copies of the letters he had sent ; and, on his refusal, 
wrote letters to the English ministry, accusing him of 
misrepresentation and partiality, complaining at the 
same time, most grievously, of the proceedings of 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 23 

parliament as utterly subversive of the liberties of 
America, and the rights of British subjects. 

The governor, at a loss how to defend himself, pro- 
rogued the assembly ; and, in his speech on the occa- 
sion, gave aloose to his resentment, accusing the mem- 
bers of ambitious designs, incompatible with those of 
dutiful and loyal subjects. 

To counteract the effect of the circular letter of 
the province of Massachusetts-Bay, Lord Hillsborough, 
secretary to the American department, addressed the 
governors of the several colonies, reprobating the cir- 
cular as full of misrepresentation, and tending to ex- 
cite a rebellion against the authority of the parent 
state. 



CHAPTER HI. 

Tumult at Boston. — Dissolution of the assembly. — People 
form a convention. — Arrival of troops from Eng-land. — Par- 
liament address the King-. — Affray between the soldiers and 
Bostonians. — Repeal of duties. — NeAV assembly.— Disavowal 
of the supremacy of parliament. 

Matters now hastened to a crisis. The governor 
had been ordered to proceed with vigour, and by no 
means to show any disposition to yield to the people as 
formerly. In particular, they were required to rescind 
that resolution by which they had written the circular 
letter above mentioned ; and, in case of a refusal, it was 
told them that they would be dissolved. As this letter 
had been framed by the resolutions of a former house, 
they desired, after a week's consultation, that a recess 
might be granted, to consult with their constituents ; but 
this being refused, they came to a determination, 92 
against 17, to adhere to the resolution which produced 
the circular letter. 

At the same time, another letter was sent to Lord 
Hillsborough, and a message to the governor, in justifi- 
cation of their proceedings. In both, they expressed 
themselves with such freedom as was by no mean* cal- 



24 HISTORY OF THE 

culated to accord with the sentiments of those in power. 
They insisted that they had a right to communicate their 
sentiments to their fellow-subjects, upon matters of such 
importance ; complained of the requisition to rescind 
the circular letter as unconstitutional and unjust ; and 
partic*ularly insisted, that they were represented as har- 
bouring seditious designs, when they were doing nothing 
but what was lawful and right. 

At the same time, they condemned the late acts of 
parliament, as highly oppressive, and subversive of lib- 
erty. The whole was concluded by a list of accusa- 
tions against their governor, representing him as unfit to 
continue in his station, and petitioning the king his re- 
moval from it. 

These proceedings were followed by a violent tumult 
at Boston. A vessel belonging to a capital trader had 
been seized, in consequence of his having neglected 
some of the new regulations ; and being taken under the 
protection of a man of war at that time lying in the 
harbour, the populace attacked the houses of the com- 
missioners of excise, broke their windows, destroyed 
the collector's boats, and obliged the custom-house offi- 
cers to take refuge in Castle William, situated at the 
entrance of the harbour. 

The governor now took the last step in his power, to 
put a stop to the violent proceedings of the assembly, 
by dissolving it entirely ; but this was of little moment. 
Their behaviour had been highly approved by the other 
colonies, who had written letters to them, expressive of 
their approbation. After the dissolution of the assembly, 
frequent meetings of the people were held in Boston, 
which ended in a remonstrance to the governor, to the 
same purpose as some of the former; but concluding 
with a request, that he would take it upon him to order 
the king's ships out of the harbour. 

While the disposition of the Bostonians was thus going 
on from bad to worse, news arrived, that the agent for 
the colony had not been allowed to deliver their petition 
to the king ; it having been (objected, that the assemble 
without the governor was no\ sufficient authority. This 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 25 

did not contribute to allay the ferment ; and it was 
further augmented by the news that a number of troops 
had been ordered to repair to Boston, to keep the inhabi- 
tants in awe. 

A dreadful alarm now took place. The people called 
on the governor to convene a general assembly, in or- 
der to quiet their fear of the military ; who, they said, 
were to be assembled to overthrow their liberties, and 
force their obedience to laws to which they were en- 
tirely averse. The governor replied, that it was no 
longer in his power to call an assembly ; having, in his 
last instructions from England, been required to wait the 
king's orders, the matter being then under consideration 
at home. 

Being thus refused, the people took upon themselves 
the formation of an assembly, which they called a con- 
vention, V The proceedings and resolutions of this body 
naturally partook of the temper and disposition of the 
late assembly ; but they went a step farther, and havin.; 
voted " that there is apprehension in the minds of many 
of an approaching rupture with France," requested the 
inhabitants to put themselves in a posture of defence 
against any sudden attack of an enemy ; and circular 
letters were sent to all the towns in the province, ac- 
quainting them with the x'esolutions that had been taken 
in the capital, and exhorting them to proceed in the 
same manner. The town of Hatiield alone refused its 
concurrence. 

The convention, however, thought proper to assure 
the governor of their pacific intentions, and renewed 
their request that an assembly might be called ; but be- 
ing refused any audience, and threatened with being 
treated as rebels, they at last thought proper to dissolve 
of themselves, and sent over to Britain a circumstantial 
account of their proceedings, with the reason of their 
having assembled in the manner already mentioned. 

The expected troops arrived on the very day on which 

the convention broke up, and had some houses in the 

town fitted up for their reception. Their arrival had a 

considerable influence on the people, and for some time 

3 



56 HISTORY OP THE 

seemed to put a stop to the disturbances ; but the seeds 
of discord had now taken such deep root, that it wag 
impossible to quench the flame. The late outrageous 
behaviour in Boston had given the greatest offence in 
England ; and, notwithstariding all the efforts of oppo- 
sition, an address from both houses of parliament was pre- 
sented to the king; in which the behaviour of the colony 
of Massachusetts-Bay was set forth in the most ample 
manner, and the most vigorous measures recommended 
for reducing them to obedience. 

The Americans, however, continued steadfast in the 
ideas they had adopted. Though the troops had for 
some time quieted the disturbances, yet the calm con- 
tinued no longer than they appeared respectable on ac- 
count of their number ; but as soon as this was dimin- 
ished by the departure of a large detachment, the re- 
mainder were treated with contempt, and it was even 
resolved to expel them altogether. The country peo- 
ple took up arms for this purpose, and were to have 
assisted their friends in Boston; but before the plot 
could be put in execution, an event happened which put 
an end to every idea of reconciliation between the con- 
tending parties. 

On the 5th of March, 1770, a scuffle happened be- 
tween the soldiers and a party of the town's people. 
The inhabitants poured in from all quarters to the assis- 
tance of their fellow-citizens ; a violent tumult ensued, 
during which the military fired upon the mob, killing 
and wounding several of them. The whole province 
now rose in arms, and the soldiers were obliged to retire 
to Castle William, to prevent their being cut in pieces. 
Let it be remembered, however, to the praise of Ame- 
rican virtue, that, on the trial, notwithstanding popular 
prejudice and apprehension, the captain and six of the 
men were acquitted, two men only being found guilty 
of manslaughter. 

In other respects, the determinations of the Ameri- 
cans were continued, if possible, more firm than ever, 
until at last, government determining to act with vigour, 
and at the same time to behave with r^s much conde- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 27 

scension as possible, without abandoning their principles, 
repealed all the duties lately laid on, that of tea alone ex- 
cepted. This was left on purpose to maintain the dig- 
nity of the crown of Britain ; and it was thought that it 
could not be productive of any discontent in America, as 
being an affair of very little moment, the produce of 
which was not expected to exceed 16,000/. The op- 
position, however, were strenuous in their endeavours to 
get this tax likewise abrogated ; insisting, that the Ame- 
ricans would consider it only as an inlet to others ; and 
that the repeal of all the rest, without this, would answer 
no good purpose. The event showed that their opinion 
was well founded. 

The Americans opposed the tea tax with the sam« 
violence they had done all the rest ; and at last, on the 
news that salaries had been settled on the justices of 
the superior court of Boston, the governor was addressi- 
ed on the subject ; the measure was condemned in the 
strongest terriiS ; and a committee, selected out of th« 
several districts of the colony, appointed to inquire 
into it. 

The new assembly proceeded in the most formal man- 
ner to disavow the supremacy of the British legislature ; 
and accused the parliament of Britain of having violated 
the natural rights of the Americans, in a number of in- 
stances. Copies of the transactions of this assembly 
were transmitted to every town in Massachusetts, ex- 
horting the inhabitants to rouse themselves, and exert 
every nerve in opposition to the iron hand of oppression, 
which was daily tearing the choicest fruits from the fair 
tree of liberty. 

The disturbances were also greatly heightened, by an 
accidental discovery that Mr. Hutchinson, governor of 
Massachusetts-Bay, had written several confidential 
letters to people in power in England, complaining of 
the behaviour of the province, recommending vigorous 
measures against them, and, among other things, assert- 
ing, that "there must be an abridgment of what is called 
British liberty." 

Letters of this kind had fallen into the hands of the 



28 HISTORY OF THE 

agent for the colony at London, They were immedi- 
ately transmitted to Boston, where the assembly was sit- 
ting, by whom they were laid before the governor, who 
was thus reduced to a very mortifying situation. Losing 
every idea of respect for iiim as their governor, they in- 
stantly despatched a petition to the king, requesting him 
to remove the governor and deputy governor from their 
places ; but to this they not only received no favourable 
answer, but the petition itself was declared groundless 
and scandalous. 



CHAPTER IT. 

Destruction of tea in Boston harbour. — The king recommends 
vig-orous measures for the subjection of the colonies.— Port 
bill.— Canada bill. 

Affairs were now ripe for the utmost extremities 
on the part of the Americans — and they were brought 
on in the following manner. Though the colonies had 
entered into a non-importation agreement against tea, 
as well as ail other commodities from Britain, it had ne- 
vertheless found its way into America, though in smaller 
quantities than before. 

This was sensibly felt by the East India Company, 
who had now agreed to pay a large sum annually to go- 
vernment ; in recompense for which, and to make up 
their losses in other respects, they were empowered 
to export their tea free from any duty payable in Bri- 
tain ; and in consequence of this permission, several 
ships freighted with the commodity were sent to Noith- 
America, where proper agents were appointed to dispose 
of it. 

The Americans now perceiving that the tax was likely 
to be enforced whether they were willing or not, deter- 
mined to talce every possible method to prevent the tea 
from being landed, knowing that it would be impossible 
to hinder the sale, should the commodity be brought on 
shore. 

For thI-3 purpose the people assembled in great 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 29 

numbers, forcing those to whom the tea was consigned 
to resign their offices, and to promise solemnly never 
to resume them. Committees were also appointed to 
examine the accounts of merchants, and make public 
tests, declaring such as would not take them, enemies 
to their country. 

Nor were these proceedings confined to the colony 
of Massachusetts-Bay. The other provinces entered 
into the contest with the same warmth, and manifested 
the same resolution to oppose this invasion of their 
rights. 

In the midst of this confusion, three ships laden with 
tea arrived at Boston ; but so much were the captains 
alarmed at the disposition which seemed to prevail among 
the people, that they offered to return to England with- 
out landing their cargoes, provided they could obtain the 
proper discharges from the consignees, the custom- 
house, and the governor. 

The parties concerned, however, though they durst 
not order the tea to be landed, refused to grant the 
discharges required. The ships, therefore, would 
have been obUged to remain in the harbour ; but the 
people, apprehensive that if they remained there the 
tea would be landed in small quantities, and disposed 
of in spite of every endeavour to prevent it, resolved to 
destroy it at once. 

This resolution was executed with equal speed and 
secrecy. The very evening after the above-mentioned 
discharges had been refused, a number of people dressed 
themselves like Mohawk Indians, and boarding the ships, 
threw into the sea their whole cargoes, consisting of three 
hundred and forty-two chests of tea ; after which they 
retired, without making any other disturbance or doing 
any other damage. 

No tea was destroyed in other places, though the 
same spirit was every where manifested. At Phila- 
delphia the pilots were enjoined not to conduct the 
vessels up the river ; and at New-York, though the 
governor caused some tea to be landed under the pro- 
tection of a man-of-war, he was obliged to deliver it up 
3* 



so 



HISTORY OP THB 




lillJiCS ttiSi!: I 

iliii lii^s^i^iMiaMiiii 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION 31 

to the custody of the people, to prevent its being 
sold. 

The destruction of the tea at Boston, which hap- 
pened in November, 1773, was the immediate prelude 
to the disasters attending civil discord. Government, 
finding themselves every where insulted and despised, 
resolved to enforce their authority by every possible 
means ; and as Boston had been the principal scene of 
the riots and outrages, it Avas determined to punish that 
town in an exemplary manner. 

Parliament was acquainted, by a message from hifs 
majesty, with the undutiful behaviour of the inhabitants 
of Boston, as well as of all the colonies, and the most 
vigorous exertions were at the same time recommended 
to reduce them to obedience. The parliament, in its 
address, promised a ready compliance ; and, indeed, 
the Americans seemed now to have lost many of their 
partisans. 

It was proposed to lay a fine on the town of Boston, 
equal to the value of the tea which had been destroyed, 
and to shut up its port, by armed vessels, until the re- 
fractory spirit of the inhabitants should he subdued ; 
which it was thought must quickly yield, as a total stop 
would thus be put to their trade. The bill was strongly 
opposed, on the same grounds that the other had been ; 
and it was predicted, that instead of having any tendency 
to reconcile or subdue the Americans, it would in- 
fallibly exasperate them beyond any possibility of re-, 
conciliation. 

A remonstrance against the bill was presented by th»e 
agent for the colonies, pointing out the same conse- 
quence in the strongest terms, and declaring in the most 
positive manner that the Americans never would submit 
to it. But such a degree of infatuation prevailed 
among all ranks of men in Britain, that they never 
imagined the Americans would dare openly to resist the 
authority of the parent state, but would in the end submit 
implicitly to her commands. 

In this confidence a third bill was proposed, pro- 
viding for the impartial administration of justice in cer» 



3^ HISTORY or THE 

tain cases. By this bill it was enacted, that should any 
persons who might be employed in the suppression of 
riots and tumults in the province of Massachusetts-Bay 
be indicted for murder, and be able to obtain a fair trial 
in the province, they might be sent by the governor to 
England, or to some other colony, if necessary, to be 
tried for the supposed crime. 

These three bills having been passed so early, the 
ministry proposed a fourth, relative to the government 
of Canada, which it was said had not yet been settled 
on any proper plan. By this bill the extent of that 
province was greatly enlarged ; its affairs were put 
under the direction of a council, to be appointed by 
the crown, and removable at its pleasure; and the 
Roman Catholic clergy were secured in their posses- 
sions and perquisites. The council above mentioned 
were invested with every legislative power except that 
of taxation. 



CHAPTER y. 

Opposition in Massachusetts to Judg-e Oliver. — Arrival of 
Gen. Gag-e. — Assembly removed to Salem. — General con- 
gress proposed. — Assembly ag-ain dissolved. — Solemn league 
and covenant of the Bostonians. — Governor's proclamation. 

JN sooner were these laws made known in America, 
than the union of the colonies were cemented almost 
beyond any possibility of dissolving it. 

The assembly of Massachusetts-Bay had passed a 
vote against the judges accepting salaries from the 
crown ; and on the question being put to them, whether 
Ihey would accept them from the general assembly? 
four answered in the affirmative ; but Peter Oliver, the 
chief-justice, refused. A petition against him, and an 
accusation, were brought before the governor ; but the 
latter refused the accusation, and declined to interfere in 
the matter ; but as they still insisted for justice against 
Mr. Oliver, the governor thought proper to put an. end 
to the matter, by dissolving the assembly. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. S3 

In this situation of affairs, a new alarm was occasioned 
by the news of the port-bill. This had been totally 
unexpected, and was received with the most extravagant 
expressions of displeasure among the populace ; and 
while these continued, the new governor. General Gage, 
arrived from England. 'He had been chosen to this 
office on account of his being well acquainted in America, 
and generally agreeable to the people ; — but human 
wisdom could not no^v point out a method by wiiich the 
flame could be allayed. 

The first act of his office as governor, was, to reniovTJ 
the assembly to Salem, a town seventeen miles distant, 
in consequence of the late act. When this was intimated 
to the assembly, they replied, by requesting him to 
appoint a day of public humiliation for deprecating thii 
wrath of heaven, bat met with a refusal. 

When met at Salem, they passed a resolution, declar- 
ing the necessity of a general congress, composed of 
delegates from ail the provinces, in order to take the 
affairs of the colonies at large into consideration ; and 
five gentlemen, remarkable for their opposition to the 
British measures, were chosen to represent that of 
I^Iassachusetts-Bay. 

They then proceeded, with all expedition, to draw up 
a declaration, containing a detail of the grievances they 
laboured under, and the necessity of exerting tlieni- 
selves against lawless pov/er; they set forth the disre- 
gard shown to their petitions, and the attempts -of Great 
Britain to destroy their ancient constitution ; and con- 
cluded with exhorting the inhabitants of the colony to 
obstruct, by every method in their power, such evil de- 
signs, recommending at the same time, a total renuncia- 
tion of GYerj thing imported from Great Britain, till 
a redress of grievances could be procured. 

Intelligence of this declaration was carried to the 
governor on the very day that it was completed ; on 
which he dissolved tiie assembly. This was followed 
by an address from the inhabitants of Salem, in favour 
of those of Boston, and concluding with these remark- 
able words : ''By shutting up the port of Boston, some 
imagine that the course of trade might be turned hither, 



34 HISTORY or THK 

and to our benefits ; but nature, in the formation of 
our harbour, forbids our becoming rivals in commerce 
with that convenient mart ; and were it otherwise, we 
must be dead to every idea of justice, and lost to all 
feelings of humanity, could we indulge one thought to 
seize on wealth, and raise our fortunes on the ruin of 
our sufliering neighbours." 

It had been fondly hoped, by the ministerial party 
in England, that the advantages which other towns of 
the colony might derive from the annihilation of the 
tj-ade of Boston, would make them readily acquiesce in 
the measure of shutting up that port, and rather re- 
joice in it than otherwise ; but the words of the above 
mentioned address seemed to preclude all hope of this 
kind, and subsequent transactions soon manifested it to 
be totally vain. 

No sooner did intelligence arrive of the remaining 
bills passed by parliament at the session of 1774, than 
tiie cause of Boston be«ame the cause of all the colo- 
nies. The port-bill had already occasioned violent 
commotions throughout them all ; it had been repro- 
bated in provincial meetings, and resistance even to 
tJie last had been recommended against such oppres- 
sion. 

In Virginia, the first of June, the day on which the 
port of Boston was to be shut up, was held as a day of 
humiliation and prayer, and a public intercession in fa- 
vour of America was enjoined. The style of the prayer 
tiiijoined at this time was, "that God would give the 
people one heart and one mind, firmly to oppose every 
invasion of the American rights." 

The Virginians, however, did not content themselves 
with merely performing acts of religion ; they passed 
resolutions recommending in the strongest terms a gene- 
ral congress of all the colonies, being fully persuaded 
that an attempt to tax any colony in an arbitrary manner, 
was in reality an attack upon them all, and must ulti- 
mately end in the ruin of them all. 

The provinces of New-York and Pennsylvania, 
however, were less sanguine than the rest ; being so 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. S5 

elosely connected in the way of trade with Great Brit- 
ain, the giving it up entirely appeared as a matter of 
such serious magnitude as not to be hazarded until every 
other method had failed. But the intelligence of the 
remaining bills respecting Boston, however, spread a 
fresh alarm throughout the continent, and confirmed 
those who had seemed the most wavering. 

The alternative of giving up all commercial intercourse 
with the mother country was again proposed ; contribu- 
tions were raised in every quarter for the relief of the 
inhabitants of Boston ; and they every day received ad- 
dresses commending them for the patriotic fortitude with 
which they sustained their calamity. 

Nor were the Bostonians wanting in endeavours on 
their part to promote the general cause. An agree- 
ment was framed, which, in imitation of former times, 
they called a " Solemn League and Covenant." By 
this the subscribers most religiously bound themselves 
to break off all communication with Britain, after the 
expiration of the month of August ensuing, until the 
obnoxious acts were repealed. At the same time they 
engaged neither to purchase or use any goods imported 
after that time, and to renounce all connexion with those 
who did, or who refused to subscribe to this covenant ; 
threatening to publish the names of the refractory, 
which at this time was a punishment by no means to be 
despised. 

Agreements of a similar kind were almost instanta- 
neously entered into throughout all America. General 
Gage indeed attempted to counteract the covenant by a 
proclamation, declaring it an illegal and traitorous com- 
bination, and threatening with the pains of law such as 
subscribed or countenanced it. But matters were too 
far gone for his proclamation to have any effect. The 
people retorted the charge of illegality on his own 
proclamation, and insisted that the law allowed subjects 
to meet in order to consider of their grievances, and 
to associate for the purpos* of obtaining relief from 
oppression. 



S6 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER VI. 



Mecting-ofthe first congress. — Approval of the conduct of Mas- 
sacbusetts. — Letter to Gen. Gag-e. — Declaration of Rig-hts. 
— Petition to the king-, Szc. — Increase of the British forces. 
— Opposition to the courts. — Thirst for military kuowledg-e. 

Preparations were now made for holding the 
general congress, so often proposed. Philadelphia, aa 
being the most central and considerable town, was pitch- 
ed upon for the place of its meeting. The delegates of 
whom it was to be composed were chosen b}^ the repre- 
sentatives of each province, and were in number from 
two to seven for each colony, though no province was 
entitled to more than one vote. 

The lirst congress, which met at Philadelphia in the 
bt'S^inning of September, 1774, consisted of fifty-one 
delegates. The novelty and importance of the meeting 
of this congress excited universal attention, and their 
transactions were such as could not but tend to render 
thew respectable. 

The lirst act of congress was an approbation of tlie 
conduct of Massachusetts-Bay, and an exhortation to 
continue in the same spirit with which they had begun. 
Supplies for the suflTering inhabitants (whom the opera- 
tion of the port-bill had reduced to great distress) were 
strongly recomm.ended ; and it was declared, that in 
c-ase of attempts to enforce the obnoxious acts by arms, 
all America shoald join .to assist the town of Boston; 
a)id, should the inhabitants be obliged, during the 
course of hostilities, to remove farther up the country, 
tiie losses they might sustain should be repaired at the 
public expense. 

Congress next addressed a letter to General Gage ; 
in which, having stated the grievances of the people 
of Massachusetts, they informed him of the fixed and 
unalterable determination of all the other provinces, to 
support their brethren, and to oppose the British acta 
of parliament ; that they themselves were appointed to 



▲MERICAN REVOLUTION. S7 

n-atch over the liberties of America; and entreated him 
to desist from military operations, lest such hostilities 
might be brought on as would frustrate all hopes of re- 
conciliation with the parent state. 

Their next step was to publish a declaration of 
rights. These they summed up in the rights belong- 
ing to Englishmen ; and particularly insisted, that as 
their distance rendered it impossible for them to be 
represented in the British parliament, their provincial 
assemblies, with a governor appointed by the king, 
constituted the only legislative power within each 
province. They would, however, consent to such 
acts of parliament as were evidently calculated mere- 
ly for the regulation of commerce, and for securing to 
the parent state the benefits of the American trade ; 
but would never allow that they could impose any tax 
on the colonies, for the purpose of revenue, without 
their consent. 

They proceeded to reprobate the intention of each 
of the new acts of parliament, and insisted on all the 
rights they had enumerated as being unalienable, and 
what no power could deprive them of. The Canada 
act they pointed out as being extremely inimical to the 
colonies, by whose assistance it had been conquered ; 
and they termed it, " An act for establishmg the Ro- 
man Catholic religion in Canada, abolishing the equita- 
ble system of English laws, and establishing a tyranny 
there." 

They further declared in favour of a non-importation 
and non-consumption of British goods, until the acts were 
repealed by which duties were imposed upon tea, coffee, 
wine, sugar and molasses, imported into America, as well 
as the Boston port act, and the three others passed at 
the preceding session of parliament. 

The new regulations against the importation and 
consumption of British commodities were then drawn 
up with great solemnity ; and they concluded with re- 
turning the warmest thanks to those membei*s of par- 
fiament who had with so much zeal, though without 
4 



38 



HISTORY OF THE 



any success, opposed the obnoxious acts of parlia- 
ment. 

The next proceedings of congress were to frame a 
petition to the king, an address to the British nation, and 
another to the colonies ; all of which were in the usual 
strain of American language at that time, and drawn up 
in such a masterly manner as ought to have impressed 
the people of England with a more favourable opinion 
of the Americans than they could at that time be induced 
to entertain. 

All this time the disposition of the people had corres- 
ponded with the warmest wishes of congress. . The first 
of June had been kept as a fast, not only in Virginia, 
where it was first proposed, but throughout the whole 
continent. Contributions for the distresses of Boston 
bad been raised in all parts of America, and all ranks 
of people were peculiarly touched with them. Even 
those who might have derived advantage from the shut- 
ting up of the port, took no opportunity, as has been 
instanced in the case of Salem. 

The inhabitants of Marblehead also showed a noble 
example of magnanimity in the present case. Though 
situated in the neighbourhood of Boston, and most likely 
to derive benefit from the distress of that place, they 
did not attempt to take any advantage, but generously 
offered the use of their harbour to the Bostonians, as 
well as their wharves and warehouses, free of all ex- 
pense. 

In the mean time the British forces at Boston were 
continually increasing, which greatly augmented the 
general jealousy and disaffection. The country people 
were ready to rise at a moment's warning ; and the ex- 
periment was once made, by giving a false alarm. This 
was done by spreading a rumour that the communication 
between the town and country was to be cut off, in order 
to reduce the former, by famine, to a compliance with 
the acta of parliament. 

On this intelligence the country people assembled in 
great numbers, and could not be satisfied till they had 
sent messengers into Boston to inquire into the truth 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 39 

of the report. These messengers were instructed to 
inform the town's people, that if they should be so pu- 
sillanimous as to make a surrender of their liberties, the 
province would not think itself bound by such example ; 
and that Britain, by breaking their original charter, had 
annulled the contract subsisting between them, and left 
them to act as they might think proper. 

In every other respect the people manifested their 
inflexible determination to adhere to the plan they 
had so long followed. The new counsellors and judges, 
who had been appointed by the crown, were obliged 
to resign their offices, to preserve their lives and pro- 
perty from the fury of the multitude. In some in- 
stances the crowd shut up the avenues to the court- 
houses ; and when required to make way for the 
judges, the reply was, *' We own no judges but such as 
were appointed by the ancient usage and custom of 
the province." 

Every where the people manifested the most ardent 
desire of learning the art of war; and every individual, 
who was capable of bearing arms, was now most as- 
siduously engaged in procuring them and learning their 
exercise. 



CHAPTER VII. 

Gen. Gag-e fortifies Boston neck.— Indignation of the citizens, 
— General meeting of the inhabitants of the adjacent towns. 
— Vigorous measures recommended. — Governor calls a ge- 
neral assembly. — Assembly vote themselves into a provincial 
congress. — Difficulty of providing shelter and clothing for 
British troops. — Provincials provide money and arms for an 
army — Public stores at Newport seized. 

Matters at last proceeded to such a height that 
General Gage thought proper to fortify the neck of 
land which joins the town of Boston to the continent. 
This, though undoubtedly a prudent measure in his 
situation, was exclaimed against by the Americans in 
the most vehement manner : but the general, instead 



40 HISTORY or THE 

of giving ear to their remonstrances, deprived them of 
the power of acting against himself, by seizing the pro- 
vincial powder, ammunition, and military stores, at 
Cambridge and Charlestown. 

This proceeding excited such indignation, that it was 
with the utmost difficulty the people could be restrained 
from marching to Boston and attacking the troops. Even 
in the town itself, the company of cadets that usually 
attended the governor, disbanded themselves, and re- 
turned the standard he had presented to them on his 
accession to the government. This was occasioned by 
his having deprived the celebrated patriot John Han- 
cock, afterwards president of the congress, of his com- 
mission as colonel of cadets. A similar instance hap- 
pened on account of a provincial colonel having ac- 
cepted a seat in the new council ; upon which twenty- 
four officers of his regiment resigned their commissions 
in one day. 

In the mean time a meeting was held of the princi- 
pal inhabitants of the towns adjacent to Boston. The 
purport of this was publicly to renounce all obedience 
to the late acts of parliament, and to form an engage- 
ment to indemnify such as should be prosecuted on that 
account. By a vote of this meeting, the members of 
the new council were declared to be violaters of the 
rights of their country ; all ranks and degrees were ex- 
horted to learn the use of arms ; and the receivers of 
the public revenue were entreated not to deliver it into 
the treasury, but to retain it in their own hands until 
the constitution should be restored, or a provincial con- 
gress dispose of it otherwise. 

A remonstrance against the fortifications on Boston 
neck was next prepared ; in which it was declared that 
the people were still unwilling to proceed to any hostile 
measures, but were, nevertheless, firmly determined not 
to submit to the acts of parliament they had already so 
much complained of. 

The governor, in order to restore tranquillity if po»- 
fible, called a general assembly ; but so many of ihm 
council had reiigned their seats, that he was induoed to 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 41 

countermand its sitting by proclamation. This last, 
however, was considered an illegal measure, and the 
assembly met at Salem ; and after waiting one day for 
the governor, they voted themselves into a provincial 
congress, of which Mr. John Hancock was chosen pre- 
sident. A committee was appointed, who immediately 
waited on the governor with a remonstrance concerning 
the fortifications on Boston-neck; but nothing of conse- 
quence took place — both parties mutually criminating 
each other. 

Winter was now coming on, and the governor, to 
avoid quartering the troops upon the inhabitants, pro- 
posed to erect barracks for them; but the select-men 
of Boston caused the workmen to desist. Carpenters 
were then sent for to New-York, but they were refused; 
and it was with the utmost difficulty that he could pro- 
cure winter lodgings for his troops. Nor was the diffi- 
culty less in procuring clothes, as the merchants of 
New- York told him they " never would supply any 
article for the benefit of men sent as enemies to their 
country." 

This disposition, known to be almost universal through- 
out the continent, was iq|iiiie highest degree satisfac- 
tory to congress. Every one saw that the ensuing^ 
spring was to be the season for commencing hostili- 
ties, and the most indefatigable diligence was used by 
the colonies, to be well provided against such a formida- 
ble enemy. 

A list of all the fencible men in each colony was 
made out, and especially of those who had served in the 
former war ; of whom they had the satisfaction to find, 
that two -thirds were still alive, and fit to bear arms. 
Magazines of arms were collected, and money was 
provided for the payment of troops. 

The governors in vain attempted to put a stop to these 
proceedings by proclamations; the fatal period was now 
arrived, and the more the servants of government attempted 
to repress the spirit of the Americans, the more violent it 
appeared. 

In the mean time the inhabitants of Boston were r#>- 
4* 



42 HISTORY OF THE 

duced to great distress. The British troops, now dis- 
tinguished by the name of the enem?/, were absolutely 
in possession of it ; the inhabitants were kept as pri- 
soners, " d might be made accountable for the conduct 
of the whole colonies ; and various measures were con- 
trived to relieve them from such a disagreeable situa- 
tion. 

Sometimes it was thought expedient to remove the 
inhabitants altogether ; but this was impracticable, with- 
out the governor's consent. It was then proposed to set 
fire to the town at once, after valuing the houses and 
indemnifying the proprietors ; but this being found 
equally impracticable, it was resolved to wait some other 
opportunity, as the garrison was not very numerous, and, 
not being supplied with necessaries by the inhabitants, 
might soon be obliged to leave the place. 

The friends of the British government indeed at- 
tempted to do something in opposition to the general 
voice of the people ; but, after a few ineffectual meet- 
ings and resolutions, they were utterly silenced, and 
obliged to yield to the superior number of their adver- 
saries. 

Matters had now proce§<)j^ so far, that every idea 
of reconciliation or friendship with Britain was lost. 
The Americans, therefore, without ceremony, began to 
seize on the military stores and ammunition belong- 
ing to government. This first commenced at Newport, 
in Rhode-Island, where the inhabitants carried off forty 
pieces of cannon, appointed for the protection of the 
place ; and on being asked the reason of this proceed- 
ing they replied, that the people had seized them lest 
they should be made use of against themselves. 

After this the assembly met, and resolved, that ammu- 
nition and warlike stores should be purchased with the 
public money. 

New-Hampshire followed the example of Rhode- 
Island, and seized a small fort, for the sake of the pow- 
der and military stores it contained. 

In Pennsylvania, however, a convention was held, 
which expressed an earnest desire of a reconciliation 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 43 

with the mother country ; though at the same time, in 
the strongest manner declaring, that they were resolv- 
ed to take up arms in defence of their just rights, and 
defend to the last their opposition to the late acts of 
parliament ; and the people were exhorted to apply 
themselves, with the greatest assiduity, to the prose- 
cution of such manufactures as were necessary for their 
defence and subsistence, such as salt, salt-petre, gun- 
powder, steel, &c. 

This was the universal voice of the colonies, New- 
York only excepted. The assembly of that province, 
as yet ignorant of the fate of their last remonstrance, 
refused to concur with the other colonies in their de- 
termination to throw off the British yoke. Their at- 
tachment, however, was very faint ; and by the event it 
appeared, that a perseverance in the measures which 
the ministry had adopted, was sufficient to unite them 
to the rest. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Congfress at Cambridg;8. — Minute men org-anized. — British 
attempt the seizure of arms at Salem. — Commencement of 
hostilities at Lexing-ton. — Destruction of military stores at 
Concord. — British retreat, with considerable loss, to Boston. 
— Americans collect 20,000 men, and block up the town 
of Boston. — Arrival of a reinforcement from England. — 
Battle of Bunker's Hill. — Charlestown burnt. 

As the disturbances had originated in the province of 
Massachusetts-Bay, and there continued all along with 
the greatest violence, so this was the province where 
the first hostilities were formally commenced. In the 
Beginning of February, 1775, the provincial congress 
met at Cambridge ; and as no friends to Britain could 
now find admittance to that assembly, the only considera- 
tion was, how to make proper preparations for war. 

Expertness in military discipline was recommended 
in the strongest manner, and several military institutions 
enacted, among which that of minute men was one of 
flie most remarkable. These were chosen from the 



44 ttlSTO^Y «r THK 

most active and expert among the militia ; and thehr 
business was to keep themselves in constant readiness at 
the call of their officers ; from which perpetual vigilance 
tney derived their title. 

It was now easily seen, that a slight occasion would 
bring on hostilities, which could not but be attended 
with the most violent and certain destruction to the van- 
quished party ; for both were so much exasperated by 
a long course of reproaches and literary warfare, that 
they seemed to be filled with the utmost inveteracy 
against each other. 

On the 26th of February, Gen. Gage having been in- 
formed that a number of field-pieces had been brought 
to Salem, despatched a party to seize them. Their road 
was obstructed by a river, over which was a drawbridge. 
This the people had pulled up, and refused to letdown; 
upon which the soldiers seized a boat, to ferry them 
over ; but the people cut out her bottom. 

Hostilities would immediately have commenced, had 
it not been for the interposition of a clergyman, who re- 
presented to the military on the one hand, the folly of 
opposing such numbers, and to the people, on the other, 
that as the day was far spent, the military could not exe- 
cute their design, so that they might without any fear 
leave them the quiet possession of the draw-bridge. 
This was complied with ; and the soldiers, after having 
remained for some time at the bridge, returned without 
executing their orders. 

The next attempt, however, was attended with more 
serious consequences. Gen. Gage having been informed 
hat a large quantity of ammunition and military stores 
nad been collected at Concord, about twenty miles 
'^rom Boston, and where the provincial congress was sit- 
ting, sent a detachment under the command of Col. 
Smith and Maj. Pitcairn to destroy the stores, and, as 
was reported, to seize Messrs. Hancock and Adams, the 
leading men of the congress. 

They set out before day-break, on the 19th of April, 
marching with the utmost silence, and securing every 
one they met on the road, that they might not be disw 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 44 

•overed. But notwithstanding all their care, the con- 
tinual ringing of bells and firing of guns as they went 
along, soon gave them notice that the country was 
alarmed. 

About five in the morning, they had reached Lexing- 
ton, fifteen miles from Boston, where the militia of the 
place were exercising. An officer called out to them to 
disperse; but, as they still continued in a body, he ad- 
vanced, discharged his pistol, and ordered his soldiers 
to fire ; who instantly obeyed, and killed and wounded 
several of the militJa. The detachment then proceeded 
to Concord, where, having destroyed the stores, they 
were encountered by the Americans, and a scuffle ensued, 
in which several fell on both sides. 

The purpose of their expedition being thus accom- 
plished, it was necessary for the king's troops to retreat, 
which they did through a continual fire kept upon them 
from Concord to Lexington. Here their ammunition 
was totally expended ; and they would have been un- 
avoidably cut off", had not a considerable reinforcement, 
commanded by Lord Percy, met them. 

The Americans, however, continued their attack 
with great fury ; and the British would still have been 
in the utmost clanger, had it not been for two field-pieces 
which Lord Percy had brought with him. By these 
the impetuosity of the Americans was checked, and the 
British made good their retreat to Boston with the loss 
of 250 killed and wounded : that of the Americans was 
about 60. 

By this engagement the spirits of the Americans were 
so raised, that they meditated nothing less than the to- 
tal expulsion of the British troops from Boston. An 
army of 20,000 men was assembled, who formed a line 
of encampment from Roxbury to Mystic, through a 
space of about twenty miles ; and here they were soon 
after joined by a large body of Connecticut troops, un- 
der Gen. Putnam, an old officer of great bravery and 
experience. 

By this formidable force, was the town of Bostoa 
HOW kept blocked up. Gen. Gage, however, had e% 



46 



HISTORY or THE 




AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 47 

strongly fortified it, that the Americans, powerful as they 
were, durst not make an attack ; while, on the other 
hand, his force was by far too insignificant to meet such 
an enemy in the field. 

But toward the end of May, a considerable rein- 
forcement having arrived, with Generals Howe, Bur- 
goyne, and Clinton, he was soon enabled to attempt 
something of consequence ; and this, the boasts of the 
provincials, that they were besieging those that had been 
sent to subdue them, seemed to render in some measure 
necessary. 

Some skirmishes, in the mean time, happened in the 
islands lying off Boston harbour, in which the Ameri- 
cans had the advantage, and burnt an armed schooner, 
which her people had been obliged to abandon, after she 
was left aground by tlie tide. J>fothing decisive, how- 
ever, took place, till the 17th of June. 

In the neighbourhood of Charlestown, (a place on the 
northern shore of the peninsula on which Boston stands,) 
is, a high ground called Bunker^s Hill, which overlooks 
and commands the whole town of Boston. In the night 
of the 16th, the provincials took possession of this place, 
and worked with such indefatigable diligence, that, to 
the astonishment of their enemies, they had, before day- 
light, almost completed a redoubt, with a strong en- 
trenchment, reaching half a mile eastward, as far as the 
river Mystic. After this, they were obliged to sustain a 
heavy and incessant fire from the ships and floating 
batteries with which Charlestown-neck was surrounded, 
as well as the cannon tiiat could reach the place from 
Boston ; in spite of which, however, they continued 
their work, and finished it before mid-day. 

A considerable body of foot was then landed at the 
foot of Bunker's Hill, under the command of Generals 
Howe and Pigot ; the former being appointed to attack 
the lines, and the latter the redoubt. The Americans, 
however, having the advantage of the ground, as well as 
of their entrenchments, poured down such incessant 
volleys as threatened the whole body with destruction ; 



46 HISTORY OF THE 

and Gen. Howe was for a little time left almost alone, 
all his officers being killed or wounded. 

The provincials, in the mean time, had taken posses- 
sion of Charlestown, so that Gen. Pigot was obliged 
to contend with them in that place, as well as in the re- 
doubt. The consequence was, that he was overmatched, 
his troops were thrown into disorder, and he would in all 
probability have been defeated, had not Gen. Chnton 
advanced to his relief; upon which the attack was re- 
newed with such fury, that the provincials were driven 
beyond the neck that leads to Charlestown. 

In the heat of the engagement, the British troops, in 
order to deprive the enemy of a cover, set fire to 
Charlestown, which was totally consumed ; and event- 
ually, the Americans were obliged to retreat over Charles- 
town-neck, which was raked by an incessant fire from 
the Glasgow man-of-war and several fl.oatinf batteries. 
In this engagement the loss on the British side amounted 
to about one thousand, including nineteen officers killed, 
and seventy wounded. The American loss, which 
did not exceed, in killed and wounded, two hundred 
men, was greatly augmented and severely felt, in the 
fall of the brave General Warren, a young officer of 
much promise. 

The British troops claimed the victory in this engage- 
ment, but it must be allowed it was dearly bought ; and 
the Americans boasted that the real advantages were on 
their side, as they had so much weakened the enemy 
that they durst not afterwards venture out of their en- 
trenchments. Considering that this was the first time 
the provincials had been in actual service, it must be 
owned that they behaved with great spirit, and by no 
means merited the appellation of cowards, with which 
they had been often branded in Britain. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTI©N. 49 



CHAPTER IX. 

General determination to resist the measures of the British go- 
vernment.— Rejection of Lord North's conciliatory scheme. 
-Cong-ress resolve to establish an army and paper curren- 
cy. — Crown-Point and Ticonderoga surprised and taken by 
Cols. Allen and Eaton. — Articles of confederation drawn 
up and agreed to in cong-ress — Canadians resolve to pre- 
serve a neutrality. 

In other places, the same determined spirit of resistance 
appeared on the part of the Americans. Lord North's 
conciliatory scheme was utterly rejected by the assem- 
blies of the states of Pennsylvania and New-Jersey, and 
afterwards in every other colony. 

The commencement of hostilities at Lexington deter- 
mined the colony of New- York, which had hitherto 
continued to waver, to unite with the rest; and as the 
situation of New- York rendered it unable to resist an 
attack from the sea, it was resolved, before the arrival 
of a British fleet, to secure the military stores, send off 
the women and children, and to set fire to the city if it 
was still found incapable of defence. 

The exportation of provisions was every where pro- 
hibited, particularly to the British fishery on the banks of 
Newfoundland, or to such colonies of America as should 
adhere to the British interest. Congress resolved on the 
establishment of an army, and of a large paper-currency 
m order to support it. 

In the northern inland colonies. Colonels Eaton and 
Ethan Allen, without receiving any orders from Con- 
gress, or communicating their design to any body, with 
a party of only two hundred and fifty men, surprised the 
forts of Crown-Point, Ticonderoga, and the rest that 
form a communication betwixt the colonies and Canada. 
On this occasion two hundred pieces of cannon fell into 
their hands, besides mortars and a large quantity of 
military stores, together with two armed vessels, and 
materials for the construction of others. 

After the battle of Bunker's Hill, the provineials 
6 



50 HISTORY OP THE 

erected fortifications on the heights which commanded 
Charlestown, and strengthened the rest in such a manner 
that there was no hope of driving them from thence ; at 
the same time that their activity and boldness astonished 
the British officers, who had been accustomed to enter- 
tain a mean and unjust opinion of their courage. 

The troops thas shut up in Boston, were soon re- 
duced to distress. Their necessities obhged them to 
attempt the carrying off the American cattle on the 
islands before Boston, which produced frequent skir- 
mishes ; but the provincials better acquainted with the na- 
vigation of these shores, landed on the islands, destroyed 
and carried off whatever was of any use, burned tlie 
light-house at the entrance of the harbour, and took 
prisoners the workmen sent to repair it, as well as a 
party of marines who guarded them. 

Thus the garrison were reduced to the necessity of 
sending out armed vessels to make prizes indiscriminately 
of all that came in their way, and of landing in dif- 
ferent places to plunder for subsistence as well as they 
could. 

The congress in the mean ti.me continued to act with 
all the vigour which its constituents had expected. Arti- 
cles of confederation and perpetual union were drawn 
up and solemnly agreed upon ; by which they bound 
themselves and their posterity for ever. These were 
in substance as follow : 

1. Each colony was to be independent within itself, 
and to retain an absolute sovereignty in all domestic 
affairs. 

2. Delegates to be annually elected to meet in con- 
gress, at such time and place as should be enacted in 
the preceding congress. 

3. This assembly should have the power of deter- 
mining war or peace, making alliances; and, in short, 
ail that power which sovereigns of states usually claim 
as their own. 

4. The expenses of war to be paid out of the com- 
Fnon treasury, and raised by a poll-tax on males from 



AMERICAN REVOLUTIOBT. 51 

sixteen to sixty : and the proportions to be determined 
by the laws of the colony. 

5. An executive council to be appointed, to act in 
place of the congress during its recess. 

6. No colony to make war with the Indians without 
the consent of congress. 

7. The boundaries of all the Indian lands to be secur- 
ed and ascertained to them ; and no purchases of lands 
were to be made by individuals, or even by a colony, 
without the consent of congress. 

8. Agents appointed by congress should reside among 
the Indians, to prevent fraud in trading with them, antl 
to relieve, at the public expense, their wants and dis- 
tresses. 

9. This confederation to last until there should be a 
reconciliation with Britain ; or, if that event should not 
take place, it was to be perpetual. 

After the action of Bunker's Hill, however, when 
the power of Great Britain appeared less formidable in 
the eyes of America than before, congress proceeded 
formally to justify their proceedings in a declaration 
drawn up in terms more expressive, and well calculated 
to excite attention. 

" Were it possible (said they) for men who exer- 
cise their reason, to believe, that the Divine Author of 
our existence intended a part of the human race to 
hold an absolute property in, and unbounded powder over 
others, marked out by his infinite goodness and wisdom 
as the objects of a legal domination, never rightfully 
resistible, however severe and oppressive ; the inhabi- 
tants of these colonies might at least require from the 
parliament of Great Britain, some evidence that this 
dreadful authority over them had been granted to that 
body : But a reverence for our Great Creator, princi- 
ples of humanity, and the dictates of common sense, 
must convince all those who reflect upon the subject, 
that government was instituted to promote the welfare 
of mankind, and ought to be administered for the attain- 
ment of that end. 

** The legislature of Great Britabi, however, stima- 



S2 HISTORY OF THE 

lated by an inordinate passion for power, not only unjus- 
tifiable, but which they know to be peculiarly reproba- 
ted by the very constitution of that kingdom, and des- 
pairing of success in any mode of contest where regard 
should be had to law, truth, or right, have, at length, 
deserting those, attempted to effect their cruel and im- 
politic purpose of enslaving these colonies by violence, 
and have thereby rendered it necessary for us to close 
with their last appeal from reason to arms. Yet, how- 
ever blinded that assembly may be, by their intemperate 
rage for unlimited domination, so to slight justice in the 
opinion of mankind, we (^teem ourselves bound by obli- 
gations to the rest of the world, to make known the jus- 
tice of our cause." 

After taking notice of the manner in which their an- 
cestors left Britain, the happiness attending the mutual 
friendly commerce betwixt that country and her colo- 
nies, and the remarkable success of the late war, they 
proceed as follows: *' The new ministiy, finding the 
brave foes of Britain, though frequently defeated, yet 
still contending, took up the unfortunate idea of granting 
them a hasty peace, and of then subduing her faithful 
friends. 

" Those devoted colonies were judged to be in such 
a state as to present victories without bloodshed, and all 
the easy emoluments of statuable plunder. The uninter- 
rupted tenor of their peaceable and respectful behaviour 
from the beginning of their colonization ; their duti- 
ful, zealous, and useful services during the war, though 
so recently and amply acknowledged in the most honour- 
able manner by his majesty, by the late king, and by 
parliament, could not save them from the intended inno- 
vations. Parliament was influenced to adopt the perni- 
cious project ; and assuming a new power over them, 
has in the course of eleven years, given such decisive 
specimens of the spirit and consequences attending this 
power, as to leave no doubt of the effects of acquies- 
cence under it. 

" They have undertaken to give and gTant our mo- 
Bey without our consent, though we have ever exer- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. ^3 

cised an exclusive right to dispose of our own property. 
Statutes have been passed for extending the jurisdiction 
of the courts of admiralty and vice-admiralty beyond 
their ancient limits ; for depriving us of the accustomed 
and inestimable rights of trial by jury, in cases affecting 
both life and property ; for suspending the legislature 
of one of our colonies ; for interdicting all commerce 
to the capital of another; and for altering, fundamentally 
the form of government established by charter, and 
secured by acts of its own legislature ; and solemnly 
confirmed by the crown ; for exempting the murderers 
of colonists from legal trial, and in effect from punish- 
ment ; for erecting in a neighbouring province, acquired 
by the joint arms of Great Britain and America, a des- 
potism dangerous to our very existence ; and for quarter- 
ing soldiers upon the colonists in a time of profound 
poace. It has also been resolved in parliament, that co- 
lonists, charged with committing certain offences, shall 
];e transported to England to be tried. 

" But why should we enumerate our injuries in detail ? 
By one statute it is declared, that parliament can of 
rlg-ht make laws to bind us in all cases whatever. What 
is to defend us against so enormous, so unlimited a 
power? Not a single person who assumes it is chosen br 
us, or is subject to our control or influence ; but, on the 
contrary, they are all of them exempt from the operatioji 
of such laws ; and an American revenue, if not diverted 
from the ostensible purposes for which it Avas raised, 
would actually lighten their own burthens, in proportioB 
as it increases ours. 

" We saw the misery to which such despotism would 
reduce us. We, for ten years, incessantly and ineffec 
tually besieged the throne, as suppliants ; we reasoned, 
we remonstrated with parliament, in the most mild and 
decent language ; but administration, sensible that we 
should regard these measures as freemen ought to do, 
sent over fleets and armies to enforce them. 

*' We have pursued every temperate, every re- 
spectful measure ; we have even proceeded to break 
off all commercial intercourse with our fellow sub- 
5* 



54 filSTOAY Of fHE 

jects, as our last peaceable admonition, that our attach- 
ment to no nation on earth would supplant our attach- 
ment to liberty. This we flattered ourselves was the ul- 
timate step of the controversy ; but subsequent events 
have shown how vain was this hope of finding modera- 
tion in our enemies ! 

" The lords and commons, in their address in the 
month of February, said, that a rebellion at that time 
actually existed in the province of Massachusetts-Bay ; 
and that those concerned in it had been countenanced 
and encouraged by unlawful combinations and engage- 
ments entered into by his majesty's subjects in several 
of the colonies ; and therefore they besought his majes- 
ty that he would take the most effectual measures to en- 
force due obedience to the laws and authority of the 
supreme legislature. 

" Soon after, the commercial intercourse of whole 
colonies, with foreign countries, was cut off by an act 
of parliament; by another, several of them were entirely 
prohibited from the fisheries in the seas near their coasts, 
on which they always depended for their subsistence ; 
and large reinforcements of ships and troops were im- 
mediately sent over to Gen. Gage. 

" Fruitless were the entreaties, arguments, and elo- 
quence, of an illustrious band of the most distinguished 
peers and commoners, who nobly and strenuously as- 
serted the justice of our cause, to stay, or even to mi- 
tigate, the heedless fury with which these accumulated 
oiitrasres were hurried on. Equally fruitless was the in- 
terference of the city of London, of Bristol, and of many 
other respectable towns in our favour." 

After reproaching parliament. Gen. Gage, and the 
Brit' ^i government in general, they proceed thus :— 
*' We are reduced to the alternative of choosing an un 
conditional submission to tyranny, or resistance by 
force. The latter is our choice. We have counted 
the cost of this contest, and find nothing so dreadful as 
voluntary slavery. Honour, justice, and humanity, for- 
bid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we re- 
ceived from our gallant ancestors, and which our inno- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. , 55 

cent posterity have a right to receive from us. Our 
cause is just ; our union is perfect ; our internal re- 
sources are great ; and, if necessary, foreign assistance 
is undoubtedly attainable. 

" We fight not for glory or conquest. We exhibit to 
mankind the remarkable spectacle of people attacked 
by unprovoked enemies. They boast of their privi- 
leges and civilization, and yet proffer no milder condi- 
tions than servitude or death. In our native land, in 
defence of the freedom that is our birthright, for the 
protection of our property, acquired by the honest in- 
dustry of our forefathers and our own, against violence 
actually offered, we have taken up arms ; we shall lay 
them down when hostilities shall cease on the part of 
our aggressors, and all danger of their being renewed 
shall be removed — and not before." 

These are some of the most striking passages in the 
declaration of congress on taking up arms against Great 
Britain, and dated July 6th, 1775. Without inquiring 
w^hether the principles on which it is founded are right 
or wrong, the determined spirit which it shows, ought 
to have convinced the people of Britain, that the con- 
quest of America was an event scarce ever to be ex- 
pected. In every other respect, an equal spirit was 
shown ; and the rulers of the British nation had the 
mortification to see those whom they styled rebels and 
traitors, succeed in negotiations in which they themselves 
were utterly foiled. 

In the passing of the Quebec bill, the ministry had 
flattered themselves that the Canadians would be so 
much attached to them on account of restoring the 
French laws, that they would very readily join in any 
attempt against the colonists, who had reprobated that 
bill in such strong terms. But in this, as in every thing 
else indeed, they found themselves mistaken. The 
Canadians having been subject to Great Britain for a 
period of fifteen years, and being thus rendered sensi- 
ble of the advantages of British government, received 
the bill itself with evident marks of disapprobation, nay, 
reprobated it as tyrannical and oppressive. 



iJ6 HISTORY OF THt 

A scheme had been formed for Gen. Carleton, go- 
vernor of the province, to raise an army of Canadians 
wherewith to act against the Americans ; and so san- 
guiae were the hopes of administration in this respect, 
that they had sent twenty thousand stand of arms, and a 
great quantity of military stores, to Quebec for the pur- 
pose. But the people, though they did not join the 
Americans, yet were found immoveable in their purpose 
to stand neuter. Application was made to the bishop, 
but he declined to interpose his influence, as contrary to 
the rules of the Popish clergy; so that the utmost efforts 
of government in this province were found to answer 
little or no purpose. 



CHAPTER X. 

British attempts to engag-e the Indians, in their cause, — Ad- 
dress of congress to the Indians, by which they are engaged 
to preserve a neutrality. — George Washington appointed 
commander-in-chief of the American forces. — Georgia joins 
the confederacy. — Conquest of Canada contemplated — Re- 
duction of Chamblee. — St. Johns taken by the Americans, 
— Montreal, and the British shipping there, surrenders to 
the Americans. 

.1 HE British administration next tried to engage the 
Indians in their cause. But though agents were dis- 
persed among them with large presents to their chiefs, 
they universally replied, that they did not understand 
the nature of the quarrel, nor could they distinguish 
whether those who dwelt in America, or those on the 
other side of the ocean were in fault ; but they were 
surprised to see Englishmen ask their assistance against 
one another, and advised them to be reconciled, and not 
to think of shedding the blood of their brethren. 

To the representations of congress the Indians paid 
more respect. These set forth, that the English, on 
the other side of the ocean, had taken up arms to en- 
slave not only their countrymen in America, but the 
Indians also ; and if the latter should enable them to 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. ^T 

overcome the colonists, they themselves would soon be 
reduced to a state of slavery also. 

By arguments of this kind, these savages were pre- 
vailed on to remain neuter ; and thus the colonies were 
freed from a most dangerous enemy. On this occa» 
sion the congress thought fit to hold a solemn confer^ 
ence with the different tribes of Indians. The speech 
made by them on this occasion, is too long to be fully 
inserted ; the following is an extract : 

" Brothers, Sachems, and Warriors ! 

" We, the delegates from the Twelve United Pro- 
vinces, now sitting in general congress at Philadelphia, 
send their talk to you, our brothers. 

" Brothers and Friends, now attend ! 

" When our fathers crossed the great water, and 
came over to this land, the king of England gave them 
a talk, assuring them that they and their children should 
be his children ; and that if they would leave their na- 
tive country, and make settlements, and live here, and 
buy and sell, and trade with their brethren beyond the 
water, they should still keep hold of the same covenant 
chain, and enjoy peace ; and it v/as covenanted, that 
the fields, houses, goods, and possessions, which our 
fathers should acquire, should remain to them as their 
own, and be their children's for ever, and at their sole 
disposal. 

" Brothers and friends, open an ear ! 

<^ Vf e will now tell you of the quarrel betwixt the 
counsellors of King George and the inhabitants and colo- 
nies of America. 

" Many of his counsellors have persuaded him to break 
the covenant chain, and not to send us any more good 
talks. They have prevailed upon him to enter into 
a covenant against us, and have torn asunder, and 
cast behind their backs, the good old covenant which 
their ancestors and ours entered into, and took strong 
hold of. They now tell us they will put their hands 
into our pocket without asking, as though it were their 
own ; and at their pleasure they will take from us our 
charters, or written civil constitution, whieh we love aa 



S8 HISTORY OF THE 

our lives ; also our plantations, our houses, and our 
goods, whenever they please, without asking our leave. 
They tell us that our vessels may go to this or that 
island in the sea, but to that or this particular island we 
shall not trade any more ; and in case of our non-com- 
pliance ^vith these new orders, they shut up our har- 
bours. 

" Brothers ! We live on the same ground with you ; 
the same island is our common birth-place. We desire 
to sit down under the same tree of peace with you ; let 
us water its roots, and cherish the growth, till the large 
leaves and flourishing branches shall extend to the set- 
ting sun, and reach the skies. If any thing disagreea- 
ble should ever fall out between us, the Twelve United 
Colonies, and you, to wound our peace, let us imme- 
diately seek measures for healing the breach. From 
the present situation of our affairs, we judge it expe- 
dient to kindle up a small fire at Albany, where we may 
hear each other's voice, and disclose our minds fully to 
one another." 

The other remarkable transactions of this congi-ess 
were, the ultimate refusal of the conciliatory proposal 
made by Lord North, of which such sanguine expecta- 
tions bad been formed by the English ministry; arjd 
the appointment of a generalissimo to command their 
armies, which were now very numerous. The person 
chosen for this purpose, was George Washington, a man 
so universally beloved, that he was raised to this high 
station by the unanimous voice of congress ; and his 
subsequent conduct showed him every way worthy of 
the confidence reposed in him. 

Horace Gates and Charles Lee, two English officers 
of considerable reputation, w^ere also chosen ; the for- 
mer an adjutant-general, the second a major-general. 
Artemas Ward, Philip Schuyler, and Israel Putnam, 
were likewise nominated major-generals. Seth Pom- 
eroy, Richard Montgomery, David Wooster, William 
Heath, Joseph Spencer, John Thomas, John Sullivan, 
and Nathaniel Green, were chosen brigadier-generals at 
thtt same time. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 5^ 

Congress had now also the satisfaction to receive d^ 
piities from the colony of Georgia, expressing a desire 
to join the confederacy. The reasons they gave for re- 
nouncing their allegiance to Britain, were, that the con- 
duct of parliament toward the other colonies had been 
oppressive; that though the obnoxious acts had not been 
extended to them, they could view this only as an omis- 
sion, because of the seeming little consequence of their 
colony ; and therefore looked upon it rather to be a 
slight than a favour. At the same time they framed a 
petition to the king, similar to that sent by the other co- 
lonies, and which met with a similar reception. 

The success which had hitherto attended the Ameri- 
cans in all their measures, now emboldened them to 
think, not only of defending themselves, but likewise of 
acting offensively against Great Britain. The conquest 
of Canada appeared an object within their reach, and 
one that would be attended with many advantages ; and 
as an invasion of that province was already facilitated by 
the taking of Crown-Point and Ticonderoga, it was re- 
solved, if pqssible, to penetrate that way into Canada, 
and reduce Quebec during the winter, before the fleets 
and armies, which they were well assured would sail 
thither from Britain, should arrive. 

By order of congress, therefore, three thousand men 
were put under the command of Generals Montgomery 
and Schuyler, with orders to proceed to I^ake Cham- 
plain, from whence they were to be conveyed in flat- 
bottomed boats to the mouth of the river Sorel, a branch 
of the great river St. Lawrence, and on which was sit- 
uated a fort of the same name with the river. 

On the other hand, they were opposed by General 
Carleton, governor of Canada, (a man of great activity 
and experience in war,) who, with a very few troops, 
had hitherto been able to keep in awe the disaffected 
people of Canada, notwithstanding all the representa- 
tions of the colonists. He had now augmented his army 
by a considerable number of Indians, and promised, even 
in his present situation, to make a very formidable re* 
^stance. 



60 HISTORY 07 THE 

As soon as General Montgomery arrived at Crowns- 
Point, he received information that a number of armed 
vessels were stationed at St. John's, a strong fort on the 
Sorel, with a view to prevent his crossing the lake ; 
on which he took possession of an island which com- 
manded the mouth of the Sorel, and by which he could 
prevent them from entering the lake. In conjunction 
with General Schuyler, he next proceeded to St. John's ; 
but finding that place too strong, it was agreed, in a coun- 
cil of war, to retire to Isle aux Noix, where General 
Schuyler being taken ill, General Montgomery was left 
to command alone. 

His first step was to gain over the Indians, whom Gen. 
Carleton had employed, and this he in a great measure 
accomplished ; after which, on receiving the full number 
of troops appointed for his expedition, he determined to 
lay siege to St. John's. In this he was facilitated by 
the reduction of Chamblee, a small fort in the neighbour- 
hood, where he found a large supply of powder. An 
attempt was made by Gen. Carleton to rehevethe place ; 
for which purpose he had, with great pains, collected 
about a thousand Canadians, while Col. M'Lean pro- 
posed to raise a regiment of Highlanders, who had emi- 
grated from Scotland to America. 

But while Gen. Carleton was on his march with these 
new levies, he was attacked by the provincials, and ut- 
terly defeated ; which being made known to another 
body of Canadians who had joined Col. M'Lean, they 
abandoned him without striking a blow, and he was 
obliged to retreat to Quebec. 

The defeat of General Carleton was a sufficient re- 
compense to the Americans for that of Col. Ethan Allen, 
which happened some time before. The success which 
attended this gentleman against Crown-Point and Ticon- 
deroga, had emboldened him to make a similar attempt 
on Montreal ; but being attacked by the militia of the 
place, supported by a detachment of regulars, he was en- 
tirely defeated and taken prisoner. 

As the defeat of General Carleton, and the desertion 
of M'Lean's forces, left no room for the garrison of St. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTIOy. 61 

J*ohB'i to hope for any relief, they now consented to sur- 
render themselves prisoners of war ; but were in other 
respects treated with great humanity. They were in 
number five hundred regulars and two hundred Canadi- 
ans, among whom were many of the French nobility, 
who had been very active in pomoting the cause of Bri- 
tain among their countrymen. 

General Montgomery next took measures to prevent 
the British shipping from passing down the river from 
Montreal to Quebec. This he accomplished so effec- 
tually, that the whole were taken. The town itself was 
Obhged to surrender at discretion ; and it was with the 
utmost difficulty that General Carleton escaped, in an 
open boat, by the favour of a dark night. 



CHAPTER XL 

Col. Arnold arrives at Quebec with a small force, — General 
Montgomery also arrives. — The com bined army attack Que- 
bec. — General Montgomery killed. — Col. Arnold wound- 
ed. — Part of the Americans surrender.- Col. Arnold created 
brigadier-general. — Dispute betweeii the Virginians and 
Lord Dunmore, who abandons the government of the 
colony. — League with the Ohio Indians. 

IS further obstacle now remained in the way of the 
Americans to the capital, except what arose from the 
nature of the country ; and these indeed were very con- 
siderable. Nothing, however, could damp the ardour 
of the Americans. 

Notwithstanding it was now the middle of November, 
and the depth of winter was at hand, Col. Arnold formed 
a design of penetrating through woods, morasses, and 
the most frightful solitudes, from New-England to Ca- 
nada, by a nearer way than that which Gen. Montgo- 
mery had chosen ; and this he accomplished, in spite of 
every difficulty, to the astonishment of all who saw or 
heard of the attempt. 

A third part of his men, under another colonel, had 
been obliged to leave him by the way for want of provi- 
6 



62 HISTORY OP THE 

aions ; the total want of artillery rendered his presence 
insignificant before a place so strongly fortified ; and the 
smallness of his army rendered it even doubtful whether 
he could have taken the town by surprise. 

The Canadians, indeed, were amazed at the exploit, 
and their inclination to revolt was somewhat augment- 
ed ; but none of them as yet took up arms in behalf of 
America. 

The consternation into which the town of Quebec 
was thrown, proved detrimental rather than otherwise 
to the expedition ; as it doubled the vigilance and acti- 
vity of the inhabitants to prevent any surprise ; and the 
appearance of common danger united all parties, who 
before the arrival of Arnold, were contending most vio- 
lently with one another. 

He was therefore obliged to content himself with 
blocking up the avenues to the town, in order to distress 
the garrison for want of provisions ; and even this he 
was unable to do etlectualiy, by reason of the small num- 
ber of his men. 

The matter was not much mended by the arrival of 
General Montgomery. The force he had with him, 
even when united to that of Arnold, was too insignificant 
to attempt the reduction of a place so strongly fortified, 
especially with the assistance of only a few mortars and 
field-pieces. 

After the siege had continued through the month of 
December, Gen. Montgomery, conscious that he could 
accomplish his end in no other way than by surprise, 
resolved to make an attempt on the last day of the year 
1775. The method he took at this time, was, per- 
haps, the best that human wisdom could devise. He 
advanced by break of day, in the midst of a heavy fall 
of snow, which covered his men from the sight of the 
enemy. 

Two real attacks were made by himself and Col. 
Arnold, at the same time that two feigned attacks were 
made on two other places, thus to distract the garrison, 
and mak« them divklo their forc-es. One of the real 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 68 

attacks was made by the people of New- York, and the 
other by those of New-England, under Col. Arnold. 

Their hopes of surprising the place, however, were 
defeated, by the signal for the attack being by some mis- 
take given too soon. Gen. Montgomery himself had the 
most dangerous place, being obliged to pass between the 
river and some high rocks, on which the upper town 
stands ; so that he was forced to make what haste he 
could to close with the enemy. 

His fate, however, was now decided. Having forced 
the first barrier, a violent discharge of musketry and 
grape-shot from the second, killed him, his principal of- 
ficers, and the most of the party he commanded ; on 
which those who remained immediately retreated. 

Col. Arnold, in the mean time, made a desperate at- 
tack on the lower town, and carried one of the barriers, 
after an obstinate resistance for an hour ; but in the ac- 
tion he himself received a wound, which obliged him to 
withdraw. The attack, however, was continued by the 
officers whom he had left, and another barrier forced ; 
but the garrison now perceiving that nothing was to be 
feared except from that quarter, collected their whole 
force against it, and, after a desperate engagement of 
three hours, overpowered the provincials, and obliged 
them to surrender. 

In this action, it must be confessed, that the valour of 
the provincial troops could not be exceeded. They had 
fought under as great disadvantages as those which had 
attended the British at Bunker's Hill, and had behaved 
equally well. 

The death of Gen. Montgomery, (says Maj. Meigs, 
in his journal of the expedition,) though honourable, was 
lamented not only as the death of an amiable, worthy 
friend, but as an experienced, brave officer ; the whole 
country suffered greatly by such a loss at this time. The 
native goodness and rectitude of his heart, might easily 
be seen in his actions ; his sentiments, which appeared 
on every occasion, were fraught with that unaffected 
goodness, which plainly discovered the virtues of the 
lieart from whence they flowed. He was tall and slender, 



64 



HISTORY or TH£ 




AMERIOAN RETOLUTIOW. G3 

wen Rmbed, of a genteel, easy, graceful, manly address, 
and had the voluntary love, esteem, and confidence of 
the whole army. He was shot through both thighs, and 
through his head. His body was taken up the next day, 
an elegant coffin was prepared, and he was decently in- 
terred the Thursday after. 

Such a terrible disaster left no hope remaining of the 
accomplishment of their purpose, as Col. Arnold could 
now scarce number eight hundred effective men under 
his command. He did not, however, abandon the pro- 
vince, or even remove to a greater distance than three 
miles from Quebec ; and here he still found means to 
annoy the garrison very considerably, by intercepting 
their provisions. 

The Canadians, notwithstanding the bad success of 
the American arms, still continued friendly ; and thus he 
was enabled to sustain the hardships of a winter encamp- 
ment in that most severe climate. The consj'ress, far from 
passing any censure on him for his misfortune, created 
him a brigadier-general. 

While hostilities wefe thus carried on with vigour in 
the north, the flame of contention was gradually extend- 
ing itself in the south. Lord Dunmore, the governor 
of Virginia, was involved in disputes similar to those 
which had taken place in other colonies. These had 
proceeded so far, that the assembly was dissolved, which 
in this province was attended with a consequence un- 
known to the rest. 

As Virginia contained a great number of slaves, it 
was necessary that a militia should be kept constantly 
on foot, to keep them in awe. During the dissolution 
of the assembly, the militia-laws expired ; and the peo- 
ple, after complaining of the danger they were in from 
the negroes, formed a convention, which enacted, that 
each county should raise a quota for the defence of the 
province. 

Dunmore, on this, removed the powder from Wil- 
liamsburgh, which created such discontents, that an im- 
mediate quarrel would probably have ensued, had not 
iiiQ merchants of the town undertaken to obtain satis- 
6* 



66 HISTORY OF Tliffi 

faction for the injury supposed to have been done Id 
the connnunity. This tranquillity, however, was soon 
interrupted ; the people, alarmed by a report that ar 
armed party were on their way from the man-of-waj 
where the powder had been deposited, assembled h 
arms, and determined to oppose, by force, any farthei 
removals. 

In some of the conferences which passed at this time, 
the governor let fall some unguarded expressions, such 
as threatening the people with setting up the royal stand- 
ard, proclaiming liberty to the negroes, destroying the 
town of Williamsburgh, &c. which were afterwai'ds 
made public, and exaggerated in such a manner as great- 
ly to increase the public ferment. 

The people now held frequent assemblies. Some of 
them took up arms, with a design to force the governor 
to restore the powder, and to take the public money into 
their own possession ; but on their way to Williamsburgh 
for this purpose, they were met by the receiver-general, 
who became security for the payment of the gun powder, 
and the inhabitants promised to take care of the maga 
zine and public revenue. 

By this insurrection, the governor was so much inti- 
midated, that he sent his family on board a man-of-war. 
He himself, however, issued a proclamation, in which he 
declared the behaviour of the persons, who promoted the 
tumult treasonable, accused thepeople of disaffection, &c. 
On their part, the people were by no means deficient in 
recriminating; and some letters of his to Britain being 
about the same time discovered, consequences ensued, 
extremely similar to those which had been occasioned 
by those of Mr. Hutchinson, at Boston. 

In this state of confusion, the governor thought it ne- 
cessary to fortify his palace with artillery, and procure 
a party of marines to guard it. Lord North's conciliatory 
proposal arriving also about the same time, he used his 
utmost endeavours to cause the people to comply with 
it. The arguments he used were plausible ; and, had not 
matters already gone to such a pitch of distraction, it is 
highly probable some attention would have been paid to 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 67 

tiiem. " The view (he said) in which the colonies ought 
to behold this conciliatory proposal, was no more than 
an earnest admonition from Great Britain to relieve her 
wants ; that the utmost condescension had been used in 
the mode of application, no determinate sum having 
been fixed, as it was thought more worthy of British 
generosity to take what they thought could be conveni- 
ently spared, and likewise to leave the mode of raising 
it to themselves, &c." 

But the clamour and dissatisfaction were now so uni- 
versal, that nothing else could be attended to The 
j^overnor had called an assembly, for the purpose of 
laying this conciliatory proposal before them ; but it 
had been little attended to. The assembly began their 
session, by inquiries into the state of the magazine. It 
had been broken into by some of the townsmen, for 
which reason spring-guns had been placed there by the 
governor, which discharged themselves upon the of- 
fenders at their entrance. These circumstances, with 
others of a similar kind, raised such a violent uproar, 
that, as soon as the preliminary business of the session 
was over, the governor retired on board a man-of-war, 
informing the assembly that he durst no longer trust 
himself on shore. 

This produced a long course of disputation, which 
ended in a positive refusal of the governor to trust him- 
self again in Williamsburgh, even to give his assent to 
tiie bills, which could not be passed without it, and 
though the assembly offered to bind themselves for his 
personal safety. In his turn, he requested them to 
meet him on board the man-of-war, where he then was ; 
but his proposal was rejected, and all further corres- 
pondence, containing the least appearance of friendship, 
was discontinued. 

Lord Dunmore, having thus abandoned his govern- 
ment, attempted to reduce by force those whom he 
could not govern. Some of the most strenuous adher- 
ents to the British cause, whose zeal had rendered 
them obnoxious at home, now repaired to him. He 
was also joined by numbers of black slaves. With 



6S HISTORY OF THE 

these, and the assistance of the British shipping, he was 
for some time enabled to carry on a predatory war, suf- 
ficient to hurt and exasperate, but not to subdue. 

After some inconsiderable attempts on land, proclaim- 
ing liberty to the slaves, and setting up the royal stand- 
ard, he took up his residence at Norfolk, a maritime 
town of some consequence, where the people were 
better affected to Britain than in most other places. A 
considerable force, however, was collected against him 
and the natural impetuosity of his temper, prompting 
him to act against them with more courage than caution, 
he was entirely defeated, and was obliged to retire to 
his shipping, which was now crowded by the number 
of those who had incurred the resentment of the pro- 
vincials. 

In the mean time, a scheme of the utmost magnitude 
and importance was formed by one ±d\\ ConoUy, a Penn- 
sylvanian, attached to the cause of Britain. The first 
step of this plan was to enter into a league with the Ohio 
Indians. This he communicated to I^ord Dunmore, and 
it received his approbation ! upon which ConoUy set out 
and actually succeeded in his design. On his return, he 
was despatched to Gen. Gage, from whom he received 
a colonel's commission, and set out in order to execute 
the remainder of his scheme. 

The plan in general was, that he should return to the 
Ohio, where, by the assistance of the British and In- 
dians in those parts, he was to penetrate through the 
back settlements to Yirginia, and join Lord Dunmore at 
Alexandria. But, by an accident very naturally to be 
expected, he was discovered, taken prisoner, and con- 
fined. 



AMERICAN REYOLIITIQN. ^9 

CHAPTER XII. 

Norfolk burnt by the British. — The governors of the Car»- 
linas expellsd the provinces. — Gen. Gage resig-os his com- 
mand to Gen Howe. — Gen. Washing-ton attacks Boston. 
— Evacuation of the town by the British. — Declaration of 
Independence. — Second attack on Quebec proves unsuc- 
cessful. — Americans retire from Quebec. 

After the retreat of Lord Dunmore from JSorfolk, 
that place was taken possession of by the provincials, 
who greatly distressed those on board Lord Dunmore's 
fleet, by ref^islng to supply them with any necessaries. 
This proceeding drew a remonstrance from his lordship, 
in which he insisted, that the fleet should be supplied 
with necessaries ; but his request being denied, a reso- 
lution was taken to set fire to the town. 

After giving the inhabitants proper warning, a party 
landed, under cover of a man-of-war, and set fire to that 
part which lay nearest the shore ; but the flames were 
observed at the same time to break forth in every other 
quarter, and the whole town was reduced to ashes. 
This universal destruction, occasioned a loss of more 
than 300,000/. 

In the southern colonies of Carolina, the governors 
were expelled, and obliged to take refuge on board of 
men of war, as Lord Dunmore had been ; Mr. Martin, 
governor of North Carolina, on a charge of attempting 
to raise the back settlers, consisting chiefly of Scots 
Highlanders, against the colony. 

Having secured themselves against any attempts from 
these enemies, however, the provincials proceeded to 
regulate their internal concerns in the same manner as 
the rest of the colonies ; and by the end of the year 
1775, Britain beheld the whole of America united against 
her in the most determined opposition. Her vast pos- 
lessions of that tract of land, since known by the nama 
of the Thirteen United States, were now reduced to 
the single town of Boston ; in which her forces were 
besieged by an enemy with whom they we^re apparently 



70 HISTORY OF THE 

not able to cope, and by whom they must of course ex- 
pect in a very short time be to expelled. 

The situation of the inhabitants of the town of Boston, 
indeed, was peculiarly unhappy. After having failed 
in their attempts to leave the town. Gen. Gage had con- 
sented to allow them to retire with their eifects ; but 
afterwards, treacherously refused to fulfil his promise. 
When he resigned his place to Gen. Howe, in October 
1775, the latter, apprehensive that they might give in- 
telligence of the situation of the British troops, strictly 
prohibited any person from leaving the place under pain 
of military execution. Thus matters continued till the 
month of March, 1776, when the town was evacuated. 

On the 2d of that month, Gen. Washington opened a 
battery on the west side of the town, from whence it 
was bombarded, with a heavy fire of cannon at the same 
time ; and three days after, it was attacked by another 
battery from the eastern shore. This terrible attack con- 
tinued for fourteen days, without intermission ; when 
Gen. Howe, finding the place no longer tenable, deter- 
mined, if possible, to drive the enemy from their works. 

Preparations were therefore made for a most vigorous 
attack on a hill called Dorchester Neck, which the 
Americans had fortified in such a manner, as would in 
all probability have rendered the enterprise next to des- 
perate. No difficulties, however, were sufficient to 
daunt the spirit of the general ; and every thing was 
in readiness, when a sudden storm prevented an exer- 
tion which must have been productive of a dreadful 
waste of blood. 

Next day, upon a more close inspection of the works 
they were to attack, it was thought advisable to desist 
from the enterprise altogether. The fortifications were 
very strong, and extremely well provided with artillery ; 
and, besides other implements of destruction, one hun- 
dred hogsheads of stones were provided to roll down 
upon the enemy as they came up ; which, as the ascent 
was steep, must have done prodigious execution. 

Nothing therefore now remained but to think of a 
retreat; and ovea this was attended with the utmost diffi- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 71 

culty and danger. The Americans, however, knowing 
that it was in the povyer of the British general to reduce 
the town to ashes, which could not have been repaired 
in many years, did not think proper to give the least 
molestation ; and for the space of a fortnight the troops 
were employed in the evacuation of the place, from 
whence they carried along with them two thousand o-f 
the inhabitants, who durst not stay on account of their 
attachment to the British cause. 

From Boston they sailed to Halifax ; but all their 
viij^ilance could not prevent a number of valuable ships 
from falling into the hands of the Americans. A con- 
siderable quantity of caimon and ammunition had also 
been left at Bunker's Hill and Boston-neck ; and in 
the town, an immense variety of goods, principally 
woollen and linen, of which the provincials stood very 
much in need. The estates of those who fled to Halifax 
were confiscated ; as also those who were attached to 
government, and had remained in the town. 

As an attack was expected as soon as the British 
forces should arrive, every method was employed to ren- 
der the fortifications, already very strong, impregnable. 
For this purpose, some foreign engineers were employed 
who had before arrived at Boston ; and so eager were 
the people of all ranks to accomplish this business, that 
every able-bodied man in the place, without distinction 
of rank, set apart two days in the week, to complete it 
the sooner. 

The Americans, exasperated to the utmost by the 
proceedings of parliament, which placed them out of the 
royal protection, and engaged foreign mercenaries in the 
plan for subduing them, now formally renounced all 
connexion with Britain, by declaring themselves inde- 
pendent. This celebrated declaration was published to 
the world by the American congress, on the memorable 
4th of July, 1776, as follows : 

" When, in the course of human events, it becomes 
necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands 
which have connected them with another, and to assume 
among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal, 



T2 HISTORY OP THE 

station to which the laws of nature and of nature's God 
entitle them ; a decent respect to the opinions of man- 
kind, requires that they should declare the causes which 
impel them to the separation. 

*' We hold these truths to be self-evident — that all 
men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their 
Creator with certain unalienable rights ; that among 
these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness ^ that 
to secure these rights, governments are instituted among 
men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the 
governed ; that whenever any form of government 
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the ' 
people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new go- 
vernment, laying its foundation on such principles, 
and organizing its powers in such form, as to them 
shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happi- 
ness. 

" Prudence, indeed, will dictate, that governments, 
long established, should not be changed for light and 
transient causes ; and accordingly, all experience has 
shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while 
evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing 
the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a 
long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably 
the same objects, evinces a design to reduce them under 
absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to 
throw off such government, and to provide new guards 
for their future security. 

" Such has been the patient sufferance of these colo- 
nies, and such is now the necessity which constrains 
them to alter their former system of government. The 
history of the present king of Great Britain is a histo- 
ry of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in 
direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny 
over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted , 
to a candid world : 

** He has refused his assent to laws the most whole- 
some and necessary for the public good. 

<« He has forbidden his governors to pass laws of 
jmmediate and pressing importance, unle"« suspended 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 73 

in their operation till his assent should be obtained ; and 
when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend 
to them. 

" He has refused to pass other laws for the accommo- 
dation of large districts of people, unless those people 
w ould relinquish the right of representation in the legis- 
lature — a right inestimable to them, and formidable to 
tyrants only. 

'' He has called together legislative bodiea, at places 
unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository 
of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing 
them into compliance with his measures. 

" He has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, 
for opposing, with manly firmness, his invasions on the 
rights of the people. 

*' He has refused, for a long time after such dissolu- 
tions, to cause others to be elected ; whereby the le- 
gislative powers, incapable of annihilation, have re- 
turned to the people at larga, for their exercise ; the 
state remaining, in the meiui time, exposed to all the 
danger of invasion from without and convulsions within, 

" He has endeavoured to prevent the population of 
these states; for that purpose obstructing the laws for 
the naturalization of foreigners, refusing to pass others 
to encourage their emigration hither, and raising the 
condition of new appropriations of lands. 

" He has obstructed the administration of justice, 
by refusing his assent to laws for establishing judiciary 
povvers. 

" He has made judges dependent on his will alone for 
the tenure of their offices and the amount and payment 
of their salaries. 

"He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent 
hither swarms of officers, to harass our people and eat 
out their substance. 

" He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing 
ai*mies, without the consent of our legislatures. 

" He has affected to render the military independent 
of, and superior to, the civil power. 
7 



74 HISTORY OF THE 

** He has combined with others to subject us to a 
jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknow- 
ledged by our laws ; giving his assent to their acts of 
pretended legislation — 

" For quartering large bodies of troops among us : 

*< For protecting them, by a mock trial, from punish- 
ment for any murders which they should commit on the 
inhabitants of these states : 

" For cutting off our trade with all parts of the 
world : 

" For imposing taxes on us without our consent : 

" For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefit of 
trial by jury : 

" For transporting us beyond seas, to be tried for pre- 
tended offences : 

'* For abolishing the free system of English laws in a 
neighbouring province, establishing therein an arbitrary 
ijovernment, and enlarging its boundaries, so as to render 
it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing 
the same absolute rule into these colonies : 

" For taking away our charters, abolishing our most 
valuable laws, and altering fundamentally the forms of 
our government : 

*' For suspending our legislatures, and declaring them- 
selves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases 
whatsoever. 

*' He has abdicated government here, by declaring us 
out of his protection, and waging war against us. 

** He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, 
burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our peo- 
ple. 

**^ He is, at this time, transporting large armies of 
foreign mercenaries, to complete the work of death, 
desolation, and tyranny, already begun, with circum- 
stances of cruelty and perfidy, scarcely paralleled in the 
most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the head of a 
civilized nation. 

" He has constrained our fellow citizens, taken cap- 
tive on the high seas, to bear arms against their coua- 



AMfiRICAN REVOLUTION. 75 

try, to become the executioners of their friends and bre- 
thren, or to fall themselves by their hands. 

<* He has excited domestic insurrections among us, 
and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our 
frontiers, the merciless Indian savages, whose known 
rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all 
ages, sexes, and conditions. 

** In every stage of these oppressions, we have pe- 
titioned for redress, in the most humble terms : our re- 
peated petitions have been answered only by repeated 
injury. A prince, whose character is thus marked by 
every act which may define a tyrant, is unfit to be the 
ruler of a free people. 

** Nor have we been wanting in attention to our Bri- 
tish brethren. We have warned them from time to 
time, of attempts by their legislature, to extend an un- 
warrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded 
them of our emigration and settlement here. We have 
appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and 
we have conjured them, by the ties of our common kin- 
dred, to disavow these usurpations, which would inevi- 
tably interrupt our connexions and correspondence, 

" They, too, have been deaf to the voice of justice 
and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce 
in the necessity which denounces our separation, and hold 
them, as we hold the rest of mankind — enemies in war- 
in peace friends. 

" We, therefore, the representatives of the United 
States of America, in general congress assembled, ap- 
pealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rec- 
titude of our intentions, do, in the name and by the 
authority of the good people of these colonies, solemnly 
publish and declare, that the united colonies are, and of 

right ought to be, ^ttt autT Kutrejjentrent Statejs ; 

that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British 
crown ; and that all political connexion between them 
and the state of Great Britain, is, and ought to be, totally 
dissolved ; and that, as free and independent states, they 
l^ve full power to levy war, conclude peace, contra^ 



76 HISTORY or THE 

alliances, establish commerce, and to do all other acts 
and thmgs, which independent states njay of right do. 
And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reli- 
ance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutu- 
ally pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our 
sacred honour." 

After thus publicly throwing off all allegiance and 
hope of reconciliation, the colonists soon found, that an 
exertion of all their strength was required in order to 
support their pretensions. Their arms, indeed, had not, 
this season, been attended with success in Canada. Re- 
inforcements had been promised to Col. Arnold, who 
still continued the blockade of Quebec ; but they did not 
arrive in time to second his operations. 

Being sensible, however, that he must either desist 
from the erterprise, or finish it successfully, he recom- 
menced in form ; attempting to burn the shipping, and 
even to storm the town itself. They were unsuccess- 
ful, however, by reason of the smallness of their num- 
ber, though they succeeded so far as to burn a number 
of houses in the suburbs ; and the garrison were obliged 
to pull down the remainder, in order to prevent the fire 
from spreading. 

As the Americans, though unable to reduce the town, 
kept the garrison in continual alarm, and in a very dis- 
agreeable situation, some of the nobility collected them- 
selves into a body, under the command of one Mr. 
Beaujeu, in order to relieve their capital ; but they were 
met on their march by the Americans, and so entirely 
defeated, that they were never afterwards able to attempt 
any thing. 

The Americans, however, had but little reason to 
plume themselves on this success. The want of artil- 
lery at last convinced them, that it was impracticable, 
in their situation, to reduce a place so strongly fortified ; 
the small-pox at the same time made its appearance in 
their camp, and carried off great numbers — intimidat- 
ing the rest to such a degree, that they deserted in 
crowds. 

To add to their misfortunes, the British reinforce- 



AMEKICAN REVOLUTION. 77 

ments unexpectedly appeared, and the ships make thek* 
way through the ice with such celerity, that one part 
of their army was separated from the other ; and Gen. 
Carleton sallying out as soon as the reinforcement was 
landed, obliged them to fly with the utmost precipita- 
tion, leaving behind them all their cannon and military 
stores ; at the same time that their shipping was en- 
tirely captured by vessels sent up the river for that pur- 
pose. Oh this occasion, the provincials fled with such 
precipitation that they could not be overtaken ; so that 
none fell into the hands. of the British, except the sick 
and wounded. 

Gen. Carleton now gave a signal instance of his hu- 
manity. Being well apprized that many of the provin- 
cials had not been able to accompany the rest in their 
retreat, and that they were concealed in woods, &c. in 
a very deplorable situation, he generously issued a pro- 
clamation, ordering proper persons to seek them out, 
and give them relief at the public expense ; at the sam** 
time, lest, through fear of being made prisoners, they 
should refuse these offers of humanity, he promised, 
that as soon as their situation enabled them, they should 
be at liberty to depart to their respective homes. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Affair at Sorel, and General Thompson taken prisoner. — ^Ame- 
ricans retreat from Canada. — Success of the Americans in N. 
Carolina and Virginia. — Arrival of a British fleet at Charles- 
ton, S. C. — -Battle on Sullivan's Island. 

The British general, now freed from any danger of an 
attack, was soon enabled to act offensively against the 
Americans, by the arrival of the forces destined for that 
purpose from Britain. By these he was put at the head 
of twelve thousand regular troops, among whom were 
Ihose of Brunswick. 

With this force, he instantly set out for Three Rivers, 
7* 



78 HiSTORt 01= 'fUt 

where he expected that Arnold would make a stand ; 
but he had retired to Sorel, one hundred and fifty miles 
distant from Quebec, where he was at last met by the 
reinforcements ordered by congress. 

Here, though the preceding events were by no means 
calculated to inspire much military ardour, a very daring 
enterprise was undertaken ; and this was, to surprise 
the British troops posted here under Generals Fra- 
ser and Nesbit ; of whom the former commanded those 
on land, and the latter such as were on board of trans- 
ports, and were but a little way distant. 

The enterprise was undoubtedly very hazardous, 
both on account of the strength of the parties against 
whom they were to act, and as the main body of the 
British forces were advanced within fifty miles of the 
place ; besides that, a number of armed vessels and 
transports, with troops, lay between them and Three 
Rivers. 

Two thousand chosen men, however, under Gen. 
Thompson, engaged in this enterprise. Their success 
was by no means answerable to their spirit and valour. 
Though they passed the shipping without being observ- 
ed, Gen. Fraser had notice of their landing; and thus 
being prepared to receive them, they were soon thrown 
into disorder, at the same time that Gen. Nesbit, hav- 
ing landed his forces, prepared to attack them in the 
rear. 

On this occasion, some field-pieces did prodigious 
execution, and a retreat was found to be unavoidable. 
Gen. Nesbit, however, had got between them and their 
boats ; so that they were obliged to take a circuit through 
a deep swamp, while they were hotly pursued by both 
parties at the same time, who marched for some miles 
on each side of the swamp, till at last the unfortunate 
Americans were sheltered from further danger by a 
wood at the end of the swamp. The general, however, 
was taken, with two hundred of his men. 

By this disaster, the Americans lost all hopes of ac* 
complishing ar\y thing in Canada. They demolished 
their works, and carried off their artillery, with the ut- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTIOJf. 79 

most expedition. They were pursued, however, by 
Gen. Burgoyne, against whom it was expected they would 
have collected all their forces, and made a resolute stand. 
But they were now too much dispirited by misfortune, 
to make any further exertions of valour. 

On the 18th of June, the British general arrived at fort 
St. John's, which he found abandoned and burnt. Cham- 
blee had shared the same fate, as well as all the vessels 
that were not capable of being dragged up against the 
current of the river. It was thought they would have 
made some resistance at Nut Island, the entrance to 
Lake Champlain ; but this, also, they had abandoned, 
and retreated across the lake to Crown-Point, whither 
they could not be immediately followed. 

Thus was the province of Canada entirely evacuated 
by the Americans ; whose loss, in their retreat from 
Quebec, was not calculated at less than one thousand 
men, of whom four hundred fell at once into the hands 
of the enemy, at a place called the Cedars, about fifty 
miles above Montreal. Gen. Sullivan, however, who 
conducted this retreat after the affair of Gen. Thompson, 
had great merit in what he did, and received the thanks 
of congress according!}'. 

This bad success in the north, however, was some- 
what compensated by what happened in the southern 
colonies. We have formerly taken notice, that Mr. 
Martin, governor of North-Carolina, had been oWiged 
to leave his province, and take refuge on board a man- 
of-war. Notwithstanding this, he did not despair of re- 
ducing it again to obedience. For this purpose, he ap- 
plied to the regulators, a daring set of banditti, who lived 
in a kind of independent state ; and though considered 
by government as rebels, yet had never been molested, 
on account of their numbers, and known skill in the use 
of fire-arms. 

Commissions were sent to the chiefs of these people, 
in order to raise some regiments ; and a Col. M'Doa- 
ald was appointed to command them. In the month of 
February, he erected the king's standard, issued procla- 
mations, &c. and collected some forces, expecting to 



80 HISTORY OF THS 

be soon joined by a body of regulars, who were known 
to have been shipped from England, to act against the 
southern colonies. 

The Americans, sensible of their danger, despatched 
immediately what forces they had, to act against the roy- 
alists, at the same time that they exerted themselves to 
support these with suitable reinforcements. Their present 
force was commanded by a Gen. Moore, whose numbers 
were inferior to those of M' Donald ; for which reason 
the latter summoned him to join the king's standard, 
under pain of being treated as a rebel. 

But Moore, being well provided with cannon, and 
conscious that nothing could be attempted against him, 
returned the compliment, by acquainting Col. M'Don- 
ald, that if he and his party would lay down their arms, 
and subscribe an oath of fidelity to congress, they would 
be treated as friends ; but if they persisted in an un- 
dertaking, for which it was evident they had not suffi- 
cient strength, they could not but expect the severest 
treatment. 

In a few days, Gen. Moore found himself at the head 
of eight thousand men, by reason of the continual sup- 
plies which daily arrived from all parts. The royal 
party amounted only to two thousand, and they were 
destitute of artillery, which prevented their attacking 
the Americans while they had the advantage of num- 
bers. They were now, therefore, obliged to have re- 
course to a desperate exertion of personal valour ; by 
dint of which, they effected a retreat for near eighty 
miles, to Moore's Creek, within sixteen miles of Wil- 
mington. 

Could they have gained this place, they expected to 
have been joined by Mr. Martin and Gen. Clinton, who 
had lately arrived with a considerable detachment. — 
But Moore, with his army, pursued them so close, that 
they were obliged to attempt the passage of the creek 
itself, though a considerable body of the Americans, un- 
der the command of Col. Caswell, with fortifications 
well planted with cannon, was posted on the other aide. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 81 

On attempting the creek, however, it was found not to 
be fordable. 

They were obliged, therefore, to cross over a wooden 
bridge, which the Americans had not time to destroy 
entirely. They had, however, by pulling up a part of 
the plank, and greasing the remainder, in order to ren- 
der them slippery, made the passage so difficult, that 
the royalists could not attempt it. In this situation they 
were, on the 27th of February, attacked by Moore, with 
his superior army, and totally defeated, with the loss of 
their general and most of their leaders, as well as the 
best and bravest of their men. 

Thus was the power of the Americans established in 
North-Carolina. Nor were they less successful in 
Virginia, where Lord Punmore, having long continued 
a useless predatory war, was at last driven from evei y 
creek and road in the province. The people he had 
on board, were distressed to the highest degree, by con- 
finement in small vessels. The lieat of the season, and 
the numbers crowded together, produced a pestilen- 
tial fever, which made great havoc, especially among th*^ 
blacks. 

At last, finding themselves in t])e utmost dnnger of 
perishing by famine, as well as disease, they set fire to 
the least valuable of their vessels, reserving only about 
fift}' to themselves, in which they bid a final adieu to 
Virginia — some sailing to Florida, some to Bermuda, 
and the rest to the West-fndies. 

In South-Carolina, the Americans had a more formid- 
able enemy to deal with. A squadron, whose object 
was the reduction of Charleston, had been fitted out in 
December 1775 ; but by reason of unfavourable weather, 
did not reach Cape Fear, in North-Carolina, till tiue 
month of May, 17-76 ; and here it met with further ob- 
stacles, till the end of the month. Thus the Americans, 
always noted for their alertness in raising fortifications, 
had time to strengthen those of Charleston in such a 
manner, as rendered the place extremely difficult to bs 
attacked. 

The British squadron consisted of two fifty gun shij» 



82 historV or the 

four of thirty guns, two of twenty, an armed schoonef, 
and a bomb-ketch ; all under the command of Sir Peter 
Parker. The land forces were commanded by Lord 
Cornwallis, with Generals Clinton and Vaughan. As 
they had yet no intelligence of the evacuation of Boston, 
Gen. Howe despatched a vessel to Cape Fear, with some 
instructions — but it was too late ; and in the beginning 
of June, the squadron anchored off Charleston bar. 
Here they met with some difficulty in crossing, being 
obliged to take out the guns from the two largest ships, 
which were, notwithstanding, several times in danger of 
sticking fast. 

The next obstacle was a strong fort on Sullivan's 
Island, six miles east from Charleston, which, though 
not completely finished, was very strong. However, 
the British generals resolved, without hesitation, to 
attack it ; but though an attack was easy from sea, it 
was very difficult to obtain a co-operation of the land 
forces. This was attempted by landing them on Long 
Island, adjacent to SuUivan's Island on the east, from 
which it is separated by a very narrow creek, said to be 
not above two feet deep at low water. 

Opposite to this ford, the Americans had posted a 
strong body of troops, with cannon and entrenchments, 
while (jren. Lee was posted on the main land, with a 
bridge of boats betwixt that and Sullivan's Island, so 
that he could at pleasure send reinforcements to the 
troops in the fort on Sullivan's Island. 

On the part of the British, so many delays occurred, 
that it was the 24th of June before matters were in 
readiness for an attack ; and by this time, the Ameri- 
cans had abundantly provided for their reception. On 
the morning of that day, the bomb-ketch began to throw 
shells into Fort Sullivan, and about mid-day, the two 
fifty gun ships, and thirty gun frigates, came up, and 
began a severe fire. 

Three other frigates were ordered to take their sta- 
tion between Charleston and the fort, in order to en- 
filade the batteries, and cut off the communication with 
the main land ; but, through the ignorance of the pilots, 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 8S 

they all stuck fast ; and though two of them were disen- 
tangled, they were found to be totally unfit for service. 
The third was burnt, that she might not fall into the 
hands of the Americans. 

The attack was therefore confined to the five armed 
ships and bomb-ketch, between whom and the fort a 
dreadful fire ensued. The Bristol suffered exces- 
sively: the springs on her cable being shot away, 
she was for some time entirely exposed to the enemy's 
fire. As the Americans poured in great quantities of 
red hot balls, she was twice in flames. Her captain, 
Mr. Morris, after receiving five wounds, was obliged to 
go below deck, in order to have his arm amputated. 
After undergoing this operation, lie returned to his place, 
where he received another wound, but still refused to 
quit his station. At last, he received a red hot ball in 
his belly, which instantly put an end to his life. 

Of all the oflficers and seamen who stood on the quar- 
ter-deck of the Bristol, not one escaped without a wound, 
excepting Sir Peter Parker alone; whose intrepidity 
and presence of mind on this occasion, were very 
remarkable. The engagement lasted till darkness 
put an end to it. Little damage was done by the 
British, as the works of the Americans lay so low, 
that many of the shot flew over ; and the fortifications, 
being composed of palm-trees mixed with earth, were 
extremely well calculated to resist the impression of 
cannon. 

During the height of the attack, the American batte- 
ries remained for some time silent, so that it was con- 
cluded that they had been abandoned ; but this was 
found to proceed only from want of powder ; for as 
soon as a supply of this necessary article was obtained, 
the firing was resumed as brisk as before. During the 
whole of this desperate engagement, it was found im- 
possible for the land forces to give the least assistance 
to the fleet ; the American works were found to b« 
much stronger than they hwl been imagined, and the 
depth of water effectually prevented them from makii^ 
any attempt. 



84 HISTORY OF THE 

In this unsuccessful attack, the killed and wounded 
on the part of the British, amounted to ab-out two hun- 
dred. The Bristol and Ex[)eriment were so much dam- 
aged, that it was thought thev could not have been got 
over the bar ; however, this was at last accomplished, 
by a very great exertion of naval skill, to the surprise of 
tiie Americans, who had expected to make them both 
prizes. On the American side, the loss was judged to 
Lave been considerable. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Com. Hopkins sails to the Baha^.i T?knds, and takes the 
ordnance and niiiitary stores. — I. on] Howe arrives before 
New- York with a British flo^t. — Gen. ifowe attempts a re- 
conciliation. — Americans defeated near Flalbush, L. I. — 
Retreat from Long- Island. — Gen. Sullivan sent on an un- 
Buccessful mission to congress. — British gain possession of 
New-York; 

J. HIS year, the Americans, having so frequently made 
trial of their valour by land, became desirous of trying 
it on sea also, and of forming a navy, that might in some 
measure be able to protect their trade, and do essential 
hurt to the enemy. 

In the beginning of March, Commodore Hopkins was 
despatched with five frigates to tlie Bahama Islands, 
where he made himself master of the ordnance and 
military stores ; but the gun-ponder, which had been the 
principal object, was removed. On his return, he cap- 
tured several vessels ; but was foiled in his attempt on 
the Glasgow frigate, which found means to escape, not- 
withstanding the efforts of his whole squadron. 

The time, however, was now come, when the forti- 
tude and patience of the Americans were to undergo a 
severe trial. Hitherto they had been, on the whole, suc- 
cessful in their operations ; but now, they were doomed 
to experience misfortune, misery, and disappointment; 
the enemy overrunning their country, and their own 
armies not able to face them in the field. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 8S 

New- York, as being the most accessible by sea, was 
pitched upon for tlie place of the main attack. Th« 
force sent against it consisted of six ships of the line 
and thirty frigates, besides other armed vessels, and a 
vast number of transports. The fleet was commanded 
by Lord Howe, and the land lorces by his brother, Gene- 
ral Howe. Tiie latter had, some time before his lordship 
arrived, set sail from Halifax, and lay before New-York, 
but without attempting to commence hostilities until h% 
ehould be joined by liie fleet. 

The Americans had, in the mean time, fortified New- 
York, and the adjacent islands, in an extraordinarj 
manner. Gen. Howe, however, was suffered to land 
his troops on Staten Island, where he was soon joined 
by a number of the inhabitants. 

About the middle of July, Lord Howe arrived with 
the grand armament; and, being one of the commissioi>- 
ers appointed by the British government to receive th« 
Bubmission of the Americans, he sent circular letters to 
the several governors, desiring thein to make the extent 
of his commission, and the powers he w'as invested with, 
as public as possible. 

Here, however, congress saved him trouble, by ordep- 
ing his letter and declaration to be published in all the 
newspapers — " that every one might see the insiduou3- 
ness of the British ministry, and that they had nothing 
to trust to but the exertion of their own valour." 

Lord Howe next sent a letter to Gen. Washington ; 
but as it was directed to *' George Washington, Esq." 
the general refused to accept of it, as !iot being directed 
in a style suitable to his station. To olwiate this objec- 
tion, Adjutant-general Patterson was sent with another 
letter directed to *' George Washington, &c. &c. &c." 
But though a very polite reception was given to the 
bearer, Gen. Washington utterly refused the letter; nor 
could any explanation of the adjutant induce him to 
accept of it. 

The only interesting part of the conversation was 
that relating to the powers of the commissioners, of 
whom Lord Howe was one. The adjutant informed 
8 



S6 HISTORY OP THE 

Gen. Washington that these powers were very extensive ; 
that these commissioners were determined to exert them- 
selves to the utmost in order to bring about a reconcilia- 
tion, and that he hoped the general would consider this 
visit as a step towards it. Gen. Washington replied, that 
il did not appear that these powers consisted in any- 
thing else than granting pardons; and as America had 
rorY,mitted no offence, she asked no forgiveness, and was 
oiily^ defending her unquestionable rights. 

The decision of every thing being now by consent 
of both parties left to the sword, no time was lost, but 
hostilities commenced as soon as the British troops 
could be collected. However, this was not done be- 
fore the month of August, when they landed without 
opposition on Long Island, opposite to the shore of 
Staten Island. 

Gen. Putnam, with a large body of men, lay encamped 
jind strongly fortified, on a peninsula on the opposite 
shore, with a range of hills between the armies, the 
principal pass of which was near a place called Flatbush. 
If ere the centre of the British army, consisting of Hes- 
sians, took post ; the left wing, under Gen. Grant, lying 
near the shore ; and the right, consisting of the greater 
part of the British forces, lay under Lords Percy and 
Cornwallis, and Gen. Clinton. 

Putnam had ordered the passes to be secured by 
large detachments, which was executed as to those at 
hand ; but one of the utmost importance, that lay at a 
distance, was entirely neglected. This gave an oppor- 
tunity to a large body of troops, under Percy and Clin- 
ton, to pass the mountains, and attack the Americans in 
the rear, while they were engaged with the Hessians in 
front. Through this piece of negligence, their defeat 
became inevitable. 

Those who were engaged with the Hessians first 
perceived their mistake, and began a retreat toward 
their camp ; but the passage was intercepted by the 
British troops, who drove them back into the woods. 
Here they were met by the Hessians ; and thus they 
were for many hours slaughtered between the two par- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 87 

ties, no way of escape remaining, but by breaking through 
the British troops, and thus regaining their camp. In 
tliis attempt, many perished; and the right wing, engaged 
with Gen. Grant, shared the same fate. 

The victory was complete ; and the Americans lost, 
on this fatal day, (August 27th,) considerably upwards 
of one thousand men, and two generals. Several offi- 
cers of distinction were made prisoners, with a numlxr 
of privates. Among the slain, a regiment consisting of 
young gentlemen of family and fortune in Maryland, 
were almost entirely cut in pieces ; and of the survivoi's, 
not one escaped without a wound. 

The ardour of the British troops was now so great, 
that they could scarce be restrained from attacking the 
lines of the Americans ; but for this there was now no 
occasion, as it was certain they could not be defended. 
Of the British and Hessians, about four hundred antl 
fifty were lost in this engagement. 

As none of the American commanders thought proper 
to risk another attack, it was resolved to abandon their 
camp as soon as possible. Accordingly, on the night of 
the 29th of August, the whole of the continental troope 
were ferried over with the utmost secrecy and silence ; 
so that in the morning, the British had nothing to do but 
to take possession of the camp and artillery which they 
had abandoned. 

This victory though complete, was very far from 
being so decisive as the conquerors imagined. Lord 
Howe, supposing that it would be sufficient to intimi- 
date the congress into some terms, sent Gen. Sullivan, 
who had been taken prisoner in the late action, to con- 
gress, with a message, importing, that though he could 
not consistently treat with them as a legal assembly, yet 
he would be very glad to confer with any of the mem- 
bers in their private capacity ; setting forth, at the 
same time, the nature and extent of his powers, an 
commissioner. 

But the congress were not so humbled as to derogate 
in the least from the dignity of character they had a»- 
eumed. They replied, that the congress of the fre« 



W HISTORY or THR 

«nd independent states of America could not consistently 
send any of its members in another capacity than that 
which they had publicly assumed ; but, as they were 
extremely desirous of restoring peace to their country, 
upon equitable conditions, they would appoint a con> 
mittee of their body, to wait upon him, and leurn what 
proposals he had to make. 

This produced a new conference. The committee 
appointed by congress, was composed of Dr. Franklin, 
Mr. Adams, and Mr. Rutledge. They were very politely 
received by his lordship ; but the conference proved as 
fruitless as before independence had been declared; and 
the final answer of the deputies was that they were 
extremely willing to enter into any treaty with Great 
Britain, that might conduce to the good of both nations, 
but that they would not treat in any other character 
than that of independent states. This positive declara- 
tion instantly put an end to all hopes of reconcilia- 
tion ; and it was resolved to prosecute the war with the 
utmost vigour. 

Lord Howe, after publishing a manifesto, in which he 
declared the refusal of congress, and that he himself 
was willing to confer with all well disposed persons 
about the means of restoring public tranquillity, set about 
the most proper methods for reducing the city of New- 
York. Here the American troops were posted, and, 
from a great number of batteries, kept continually annoy- 
ing the British shipping. 

The East River lay between them, of about twelve 
hundred yards in breadth, which the British troops 
were extremely desirous of passing. At last, the ships 
having after an incessant cannonade of several days, 
silenced the most troublesome batteries, a body of the 
troops was sent up the river, to a bay about three miles 
distant, where the fortifications were less than in other 
places. 

Here, having driven off the Americans by the cannon 
i)f the fleet, they marched directly toward the city ; 
bat the Americans, finding that they should now be 
attacked on all sides, abandoned the city, and retired 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 09 

to the north of the island, where their principal force 
was collected. In their passage thither, they skirmished 
with the British, but carefully avoided a general engage- 
ment ; and it was obsein^ed that they did not behave 
with that ardour and impetuous valour which had hither- 
to marked their character. 



CHAPTER XV. 

Great fire in New- York.— Battle at White Plains.— Forts in 
the neig-hbourhood of New-York reduced by the British. — 
New-Jersey taken possession of by the British. — Sir Henr\' 
Clinton reduces Rhode Island. — British fit a fleet on Lake 
Charnplain. — Battle on the Lake. 

X HE British and American armies were not now above 
two miles distant from each other. The former lay 
encamped from shore to shore, for an extent of two miles, 
being the breadth of the island. The Americans, who 
lay directly opposite, had strengthened their camp witk 
many fortifications ; at the same time being masters of 
all the passes and defiles betwixt the two camps, they 
were enabled to defend themselves against an army 
much more numerous than their own ; and they had 
also strongly fortified a pass called King's Bridge, 
whence they could secure a passage to the continent m 
case of any misfortune. 

Here Gen. Washington, in order to inure his army 
to actual service, and at the sams time to annoy the 
enemy as much as possible, employed his troops in con- 
tinual skirmishes ; by which it was observed that they 
soon recovered their spirits, and behaved with their 
usual boldness. 

As the situation of the two armies wag now highly 
inconvenient for the British generals, it was resolved t* 
make such movements as might oblige Gen. Washing- 
ton to relinquish his strong situation. The possession 
of Kew-York had been less beneficial 'than Vas ex- 
8* 



90 HISTORY OP THK 

pected. A f«w days after it was evacuated by the Ame- 
ricanB, a dreadful fire broke out, occasioned, probably, 
by the licentious conduct of some of its new masters ; 
and, had it not been for the active exertions of the sailors 
and soldiery, the whole town might have been consumed, 
the wind being high, and the wieather remarkably dry. 
About one thousand houses were destroyed. 

Gen. Howe, having left Lord Percy with a sufficient 
force to garrison New-York, embarked his army in flat 
bottomed boats, by which they were conveyed through 
the dangerous passage called Hell-Gate, and landed 
near the town of West-Chester, lying on the continent 
towards Connecticut. Here, having received a supply 
of men and provisions, they moved to New-Rocheile, 
situated on the sound which separates Long Island from 
the continent. 

After this, receiving still fresh reinforcements, they 
made such movements as threatened to distress the 
Americans very much, by cutting off their convoys of 
provisions from Connecticut, and thus force them to aa 
engagement. This, however. Gen. Washington deter- 
mined at all events to avoid. He therefore extended 
his forces into a long line, opposite to the way in which 
the enemy marched, keeping the Bruna, a river of con- 
siderable magnitude, between the two armies, with the 
North River on his rear. 

Here, again, the Americans continued for some time 
to annoy and skirmish with the royal army, until at last, 
by some other manoeuvres, the British general found 
means to attack them advantageously, at a place called 
the White Plains, and drove theni from some of their 
posts. The success on this occasion was much less 
complete than the former ; however, it obliged the 
Americans once more to shift their ground, and to retreat 
ferther up the country. 

Gen. Howe pursued for some time ; but at last, find- 
ing all his endeavours vain, to bring the Americans to a 
pitched battle, he determined to giv3 over such a useless 
fdiace, and employ himself in reducing the forts which 
iie Americans «tiU retained in the neighbourhood 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 31 

of New- York. In this, he met with the most complete 
success. 

The Americans, on the approach of the British for- 
ces, retreated from King's Bridge to Fort Washington ; 
and this, as well as Fort Lee, which lay in the neigh- 
bourhood, was quickly reduced, though the garrisons 
made their escape. Thus the Jerseys were laid en- 
tirely open to the incursions of the British troops ; and 
so fully were these provinces taken possession of bj 
the royal army, that its winter quarters extended from 
New-Brunswick to the river Delaware. Had any 
number of boats been at hand, it was thought Philadel- 
phia would now have fallen into their hands. All these, 
however, had been carefully removed by the Americans. 

In lieu of this enterprise. Sir Henry Clinton under- 
took an expedition to Rhode-Island, and became master 
of it, without losing a man. His expedition was als« 
attended with this further advantage, that the American 
fleet, under Com. Hopkins, was obliged to sail as far as 
possible ".^p tlie river Providence, and thus remained en- 
tirely useless. 

The same ill success continued to attend the Ameri- 
cans in other parts. After their expulsion from Cana- 
da, they had crossed Lake Champlain, and taken up 
their quarters at Crown-Point, as Ave have already men- 
tioned. Here they remained for some time in safety, 
as the British had no vessels on the lake, and conse- 
quently Gen. Burgoyne could not pursue them. 

To remedy this deficiency, there was no possible me- 
thod, but either to construct vessels on the spot, or take 
to pieces some vessels already constructed, and drag them 
up the river into the lake. This, however, was effected 
in no longer a period than three months : and the Bri- 
tish general, after incredible toil and difficulty, saw him- 
self in possession of a great number of vessels, by which 
means he was enabled to pursue his enemies, and invade 
them in his turn. 

The lai)our undergone at this time, by the sea and 
land forces, must indeed have been prodigious ; «iuct 



92 HISTORY OF THE 

there were conveyed over land, and dragged up the ra- 
pids of the Sorel, no fewer than thirty large long hoats, 
four hundred batteaux, besides a vast number of flat bot- 
tomed boats, and a gondola of thirty tons. 

The intent of the expedition was to push forward, 
before winter, to Albany, where the army would take 
up its winter quarters, and the next spring effect a 
junction with that under Gen. Howe, when it was not 
doubted that the united force and skill of these two 
commanders, would speedily put a termination to the 
war. 

By reason of the difficulties v>'ith which the equipment 
of this fleet had been attended, it was the beginning of 
October before the expedition could be undertaken. It 
was, however, by every judge, allowed to be com- 
pletely able to answer every purpose for which it was 
Vitended. It consisted of one large vessel with three 
masts, carrying eighteen twelve-pounders ; two schoon- 
ers, the one carrying fourteen, the other twelve six- 
pounders; a large flat bottomed radeau, with six twenty- 
four, and six twelve-pounders ; and a gondola with eight 
nine-pounders. 

Besides these, there were twenty vessels of a smaller 
size, called gun-boats, carrying each a piece of brass 
ordnance from nine to twenly-four-pounders, or howit- 
zers. Several long boats were fitted out in the same 
manner ; and besides all these, there was a vast number 
of boats and tenders of various sizes, to be used as trans- 
ports for the troops and baggage. It was manned by a 
number of select seamen, and the guns were to be served 
by a detachment from the corps of artillery ; the officers 
and soldiers appointed for this expedition were also cho- 
sen out of the whole army. 

To oppose this formidable armament, the American» 
had only a very inconsiderable force, commanded by 
Gen. Arnold ; who, after engaging a part of the British 
fleet for a whole day, took advantage of the darkness of 
the night to set sail without being perceived, and next 
morning was out of sight. But he was so hotly pursued 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. ^ 

by the British, that on the second day after, he was over- 
taken, and forced to a second engagement. 

In this, he behaved with great gallantry; but hi« 
force being very inferior to that of the enemy, he \va« 
obliged to run his ships on shore, and set them on fire. 
A few only escaped to Lake George ; and the garrison 
of Crown-Point, having destroyed and carried off every 
thing of value, retired to Ticonderoga. Thither Gea. 
Carleton intended to have pursued them ; but the diffi» 
culties he had to encounter, appeared so many and so 
great, that it was thought proper to march back int© 
Canada, and desist from any further operations till the 
Aext spring. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Decrease of the American army — Gen. Lee taken prisoner. 
— British defeated at Trenton, and the tide of war turned 
in favour of America. — Retreat of the Americans from 
Trenton. — Party of British defeated at Princeton. — Fall 
of Gen. Mercer. — Danbury, Conn, burnt.— Gen. Wooster 
killed — Sag'-Harbour taken by the Americans. — British 
Gen. Prescot taken priso ner. — Battle at Brandy wine creek* 
— Marquis de la Fayette wounded. 

J- HITS tlie affairs of the Americans seemed every 
where going to wTeck. Even those who had been most 
sanguine in their cause, began to waver. The time, 
also, for which the soldiers had enlisted themselves, 
was now expired ; and the bad success of the preced- 
ing campaign had been so very discouraging, that no 
person was wilHng to engage himself during the co»- 
tinuance of a war, of which the event seemed to be so 
doubtful. 

In consequence of this, therefore, Gen. Washingtoa 
found his army daily decreasing in strength ; so that, 
from thirty thousand men, of which it consisted whea 
Gen. Howe landed on Staten Island, scarce a tenth part 
could now be mustered. 



94 HISTORY or THE 

To assist the commander-in-chief as much as possi- 
ble, Gen. Lee had collected a body of forces in the 
north; but on his way southward, having imprudently 
taken up his lodging at some distance from his troops, 
information was given to Col. Karcourt, who happened 
at that time to be in the neighbourhood, and Lee was 
made prisoner. 

The loss of this general was much regretted, and the 
more especially as he was of superior quality to any 
prisoner in the possession of the Americans, and could 
not therefore be exchanged. Six field ojfficers were 
offered in exchange for him, and refused ; and the con- 
gress was highly irritated at its being reported, that he 
was to be treated as a deserter — having been a hajf-pay 
officer in the British service, at the commencement '^f 
the war. 

In consequence of this, congress issued a proclama- 
tion, threatening to retaliate on the prisoners in their 
possession, whatever punishment should be iniii.'ted on 
any of those taken by the British ; and especially, that 
their conduct should be regulated by the treatment of 
Gen. Lee. 

In the mean time, they proceeded w Ith the most iii- 
defatigable diligence to recruit their army, and bound 
their soldiers to serve for a term of three years, or 
during the continuance of the war. The army designed 
for the ensuing campaign, was to consist of eighty-eight 
battalions ; of which each state was to contribute its 
quota; and twenty dollars were offered as a bounty 
to each soldier, besides an allotment of lands at the end 
of the war. 

In this allotment, it was stipulated, that each soldier 
sliould have one hundred acres; an ensign one hundred 
and fifty ; a lieutenant two hundred ; a captain three 
hundred ; a major four hundred ; a lieutenant-colonel 
four hundred and fifty ; and a colonel five hundred. 
No lands were promised to those who enlisted for only 
three years. All officers or soldiers disabled through 
wounds received in the service, were to enjoy half pay 
during life. To defray the expense, congress borrowed 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 95 

five millions of dollars, at five per cent, for the payment 
of which, the United States became surety. 

At the same time, in order to animate the people to 
vigorous exertions, a declaration was published, in which 
they set forth the necessity there was for taking proper 
methods to insure success in their cause. They endea- 
voured to palliate, as much as possible, the misfortunes 
which had already happened ; and represented the true 
cause of the present distress to be the short term of en- 
listment. 

This declaration, together with the imminent danger 
of Philadelphia, determined the Americans to exert 
themselves to the utmost, in order to reinforce General 
Washington's army. They soon received further encou- 
ragement, however, by an exploit of that general against 
the Hessians. 

As the royal army extended in different cantonments 
for a great way, Gen. Washington, perceiving the immi- 
nent danger to which Philadelphia was exposed, resolved 
to make some attempt on those divisions of the enemy 
which lay nearest that city. These happened to be the 
Hessians, who lay in three divisions, the last only twenty 
miles distant from Philadelphia. 

On the 25th of December, having collected as con- 
siderable a force as he could, he set out with an intent 
to surprise that body of the enemy which lay encamped 
at Trenton. His army was divided into three bodies ; 
one of which he ordered to cross the Delaware at Tren- 
ton ferry, a little below the town; the second at a good 
distance below, at a place called Bordentown, where 
the second division of Hessians was placed ; while he 
himself, with the third, directed his course to a ferry 
some miles above Trenton, intending to have passed it 
at midnight, and attack the Hessians at brelk of day. 
But, by reason of various impediments, it was eight la 
the morning before he could reach the place of his des- 
tination. 

The enemy, however, did not perceive his approach, 
till they were suddenly attacked. Col. Ralle, who com- 
manded them, did all that could be expected from a 



BISTORT or TBB 




AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 97 

brave and experienced officer ; but every thing was in 
such confusion, that no efforts of valour or skill could 
now retrieve matters. The colonel himself was mor- 
tally wounded ; his troops were entirely broken, their 
artillery seized, and about one thousand taken prisoners. 
After this gallant exploit, Gen. Washington again re- 
turned into Pennsylvania. 

This action, though seemingly of no very decisive 
nature, was sufficient at that time to turn the fortune of 
war in favour of Arnerica. It tended greatly to lessen 
the apprehensions which the Americans had of the Hes- 
sians, at the same time that it equally abated the con- 
fidence which the British had till now put in them. 

Reinforcements came in. from several quarters to 
Gen. Washington, so that he was soon in a condition 
once more to pass the Delaware, and take up his quar- 
ters at Trenton, where he was emboldened to maintain 
his station, notwithstanding the accounts that were re- 
ceived of the enemy's rapid advance toward him. — 
Ijord Cornwaliis accordingly made his appearance in 
full force ; and on the evening of his arrival, the little 
town of Trenton contained the two hostile armies, sep- 
arated only by a small creek, which was fordable in 
many places. 

This was, indeed, the crisis of the American revolu- 
tion ; and had his lordship made an immediate attack, in 
pursuance of what is reported to have been the advice 
of Sir William Erskine, Gen. Washington's defeat seems 
to have been inevitable. But a night's delay turned 
the fate of the war, and produced an enterprise, the 
magnitude and glory of which can only be equalled by 
its success. 

. Gen. Washington, having called a council of war, 
stated the calamitous situation to which his army was 
reduced ; and having heard the various opinions of his 
officers, finally proposed a circuitous march to Prince- 
ton, as the means of avoiding, at once, the imputation 
of a retreat, and the danger of a battle, with numbers so 
inferior, and in a situation so ineligible. The idea was 
unanimously approved ; and, as soon as it was dark, 
9 



98 HISTORY OP THE 

the necessary measures were taken for accomplishing 
it* 

A line of fires was kindled, which served to give light 
to the Americans, while it obscured them from the ob- 
servation of the enemy ; and, by a providential interpo- 
sition, the weather, which had been for some time past 
warm, moist, and foggy, suddenly changed to a hard 
frost ; and, in a moment, as it were, rendered the road, 
which had been deep and heavy, firm and smooth as a 
pavement. 

At break of day. Gen. Washington arriving near 
Princeton, was discovered hj a party of British troops, 
consisting of three regimeats, under the command of 
Col. Mawhood, who were on their march to Trenton. 
With these the centre of the Americans engaged, and 
after killing sixty, wounding many, and taking three 
hundred prisoners, obliged the rest to make a precipi- 
tate escape, some toward Ti-enton, and others in a re- 
trograde route to New Brunswick. The loss of the 
Americans was inconsiderable in point of numbers ; 
but the fall of the amiable Gen. Mercer rendered it 
important. 

The British, astonished and discouraged at the suc- 
cess and spirit of these repeated enterprises, abandoning 
both Trenton and Princeton, retreated to New-Bruns- 
wick ; while the triumphant Americans retired to Mor- 
ristown. Gen. Washington, however, omitted no op- 
portunity of recovering what had been lost ; and by di- 
viding his army into small parties, which could be re- 
united on a few hours warning, he in a manner entirely 
covered the country with it, and re-possessed himself of 
all the important places. 

Thus ended the campaign of 1776, with scarce any 
other real advantages to the British, than the acquisition 
of the city of New- York, and of a i'ew fortresses in its 
neighbourhood ; where the troops were constrained to 
act with as much circumspection as if they had been be- 
sieged by a victorious army, instead of being themselves 
die conquerors. 

The army at New lork began in 1777, to exercise a 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 9^ 

kind of predatory war, by sending out parties to destroy 
magazines, make incursions, and take or destroy such 
forts as lay on tiie banks of rivers, to which their great 
command of shipping gave them access. In this they 
were generally successful: the magazines at Peek's 
Kill, (a place about fifty miles distant from New-York,) 
were destroyed, the town of Danbury, in Connecticut, 
burnt, and that of Ridgefield, in the same state, was taken 
possession of. 

In returning from the last expedition, however, the 
British were greatly harassed by the Americans under 
Generals Arnold, Wooster, and Sullivan; but they made 
good their reti'eat, in spite of ail opposition, with the 
loss of only one hundred and seventy killed and wounded. 
On the American side, the loss was much greater; Gen. 
Wooster was killed, and Arnold in the most imminent 
danger. On the other hand, the Americans destroyed 
the stores at Sag-Harbour, on Long Island, and made 
prisoners of all who defended the place. 

As this method of making war, however, could an- 
swer but little purpose, and savoured more of the barbar- 
ous incursions of savages, than of a war carried on by 
a civilized people, it was resolved to make an attempt 
on Philadelphia. At first, it was thought that this could 
be done through New-Jersey ; but the cruelties exer- 
cised by the British plundering parties had excited so ge- 
neral an abhorrence, and Gen. Washington had received 
such large reinforcements, and posted himself so strongly, 
that it was found to be impracticable. Many stratagems 
were used to draw hi-m from his strong situation, but 
without success ; so that it was found necessary to make 
the attempt on Philadelphia by sea. 

While the preparations necessary for this expedition 
were going forward, the Americans found means to 
make amends for the capture of Gen. Lee, by that of 
Gen. Prescot, who was seized in his quarters, with his 
aid-de-camp, in much the same manner as Gen. Lee 
had been. This was exceedingly mortifying to the 
general himself, as he had not long before set a price 



100 HISTORY OF THE 

upon Gen. Arnold, by offering a sum of money to any 
one that apprehended him ; which the latter answered, 
by setting a lower price upon General Prescot. 

The month of July was far advanced before the pre- 
parations for the expedition against Philadelphia were 
completed ; and it was the 23d before the fleet was 
able to sail from Sandy Hook. The force employed in 
this expedition consisted of thirty-six battalions of British 
and Hessians, a regiment of light horse, and a body of 
royalists raised at New-York. The remainder of 
these, with seventeen battalions, and another body of 
light horse, were stationed at New- York, under Sir 
Henry Clinton. Seven battalions were also stationed at 
Rhode Island. 

After a week's sailing, the expedition arrived at the 
mouth of the Delaware ; but having there received 
certain intelligence that the navigation of the river was 
so effectually obstructed, that no possibility of forcing 
a passage remained, and that Gen. Washington had 
marched within a short distance of Philadelphia, it 
was resolved to proceed as far to the south as Chesa- 
peake Bay, in Maryland, from whence the distance to 
Philadelphia was not very gre3-t,and where the American 
army would find less advantage from the nature of the 
country than in the Jerseys. 

The navigation from the Delaware to the Chesa- 
peake took up the best part of the month of August, 
and that up the bay itself was extremely difficult and 
tedious. At last, having sailed, up the river Elk as 
far as was practicable, the troops v.ere landed without 
opposition, and set forward on their intended expedition. 

On receiving news of the arrival of the enemy in the 
Chesapeake, Gen. Washington left New-Jersey and 
hastened to the relief of Philadelphia ; and in the be- 
ginning of September he met the royal army at Brandy- 
wine Creek, about mid-day, between the head of the 
Elk and Philadelphia. Here he adhered to his former 
method of skirmishing and harassing the royal army 
on its march ; but as this proved insufficient to stop 



AMERlCA^r REVOLUTION. 101 

its progress, he retired to that side of the creek next to 
Philadelphia, with an intent to dispute the passage. 

This brought on a general engagement, which took 
place on the 11th of September, in which the American? 
W3re worsted ; and it was, perhaps, only by the approach 
of night, that they were saved from being entirely de- 
stroyed. On this occasion, the Americans lost about one 
thousand men in killed and wounded, besides four 
hundred taken prisoners. 

Here the celebrated Marquis de la Fayette first bled 
in the cause of liberty, which he had espoused with 
enthusiastic ardour. This brave and generous French 
nobleman, who had left his family and native land, in 
spite of the prohibition of his own government, and the 
prospect of a forfeiture of his title and estates, and had 
entered the American army, as a volunteer, without 
compensation, received from congress, in June, 1777, 
(when only twenty years of age,) the commission of a 
major-general ; and his gallant conduct in the engage- 
ment at Brandywine, and subsequently throughout the 
war, proved him worthy of the confidence thus placed 
in him. Gen. La Fayette's wound, though slight, 
endeared him to the hearts of all the Americans. 



CHAPTER XYH. 

Philadelphia taken by the British. — Battle of Germautovyn.— 
Destruction of two" British ships of war. — Americans aban- 
don Mud Island and Red Bank. — Gen. Burg-oyne's army 
reinforced.— Sieg-e of Ticonderoga.— Disaster of the Ameri- 
cans near Skeenboroug-h. — Americans retire to Fort Ed- 
ward. — British army approaches Fort Edward. — Head- 
quarters of the American army formed at Saratoga. Gen. 
Arnold takes station at Stillwater.— Col. St. Leger besieges 
Fort Stanwix ; is deserted by the Indians ; and retreats with 
loss. 

The loss of the battle of Brandywine proved also the 
loss of Philadelphia. Gen. Washington retired to- 
9* 



J02 HISTORY OF THfi 

ward Lancaster, an inland town some distance froin 
Philadelphia ; and although he could not prevent the 
enemy from takhig possession of Philadelphia, he still 
adhered to his former plan of distressing them, by lay- 
ing ambushes and cutting ofl" detached parties. But in 
Uiis he was less successful than formerly; and one of 
his detachments, which lay in ambush in a wood, were 
tliemselves surprised and entirely defeated, with the loss 
of three hundred men killed and wounded, besides 
seventy or eighty taken prisoners, with all their arms 
and baggage. 

General Howe, now perceiving that the Americans 
would not venture another battle, even for the sake 
of their capital, took peaceable possession of it on the 
26Lh of September. His first care was then to cut off, 
by means of strong battepes, the communication be- 
tvt'een the upper and lower parts of the river ; which 
was executed, notwithstanding the opposition of some 
American armed vessels ; one of which, carrying thirty- 
tiX guns, was taken. 

His next task was to open a communication with it 
by sea ; and this was a work of no small difficulty. A 
vast number of batteries and forts had been erected, 
and immense machines, formed like clievaux de frizcy 
from whence they took their name, sunk in the river 
to prevent its navigation. As the fleet was sent round 
to the mdVith of the river, ih order to co-operate with 
the army, this work, however difficult, was accomplish- 
ed ; nor did the Americans give much opposition, well 
knowing that all places of this kind were now un- 
teisfible. 

Gen. Washington, however, took the advantage of 
the royal army being divided, to attack the principal 
division of it that lay at Germantown, in the neighbour- 
hood of Philadelphia. In this he met with very little 
success ; for though he reached the place of destina- 
tioii by three o'cl-ock in the morning, the patrols had 
tin;e to call the troops to arms. The Americans, not- 
whhstanding, made a very resolute attack ; but they 
were received with so much bravery, that they were 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. /03 

compelled to abandon the attempt, and retreat in great 

disorder. 

However, they were so fortunate as to carry off their 
cannon, (though pursued for a considerable way,) after 
having upwards of two hundred killed, about five hun- 
di\3d wounded, and upwards of foar hundred taken pris- 
oners, among whom were filty-four officers. On the 
British side, the loss amounted to four hundred and 
thirty wounded and prisoners, and seventy killed ; but 
among the last were Gen. Agnew and Col. Bird, with 
some other excellent officers. 

There still remained two strong forts on the Dela- 
ware to be reduced. These were Mud Island and Red 
Bank. The various obstructions whicLUhe Americana 
had thrown in the way, rendered it necessary to bring 
up the Augusta, a ship of the line, and the Merlin frig- 
ate, to the attack of Mud Island ; but during the heat of 
the action both were grounded. Upon this, the Ameri- 
cans sent down four tire-ships, and directed the whole 
fire from their galleys against tliem. The former were 
rendered ineffectual, by the courage and skill of the Bri- 
tish seamen ; but during the engagement, both the Au- 
gusta and Merlin took fire and were burnt to ashes ; and 
the other ships obliged to withdraw. 

The Americans, encouraged by this unsuccessful at~ 
tempt, proceeded to throw new obstructions in the way; 
but the British general having found means to convey a 
number of cannon, and to erect batteries within gun shot 
of the fort by land, and bringing up three ships of the 
line, which mounted heavy cannon, the garrison, after 
making a vigorous defence for one day, perceiving that 
preparations were making for a general assault on the 
next, abandoned the place in the night. Those who 
defended Ked Bank followed their example, and aban- 
doned it on the approach of Lord Cornwallis. 

A great number of the American shipping, now find- 
ing themselves entirely destitute of any protection, sailed 
up the river in the night time. Seventeen, however, 
remained, whose retreat was intercepted, by a frigate 
and some armed vessels : on which the Americans raa 



104 HISTORY OP THE 

them ashore and burnt them, to prevent their falling into 
the enemy's hands. 

Thus the campaign of 1777, in Pennsylvania, con- 
cluded, upon the whole, successfully on the part of the 
British. In the north, however, matters wore a differ- 
ent aspect. The expedition in that quarter had been 
projected by the British ministry as the most effectual 
method that could be taken to crush the states at once. 
The four New- England states had originally begun the 
confederacy against Great Britain, and were still con- 
sidered as the most active in the continuation of it ; and 
it was thought, that any impression made upon them, 
would contribute in an effectual manner to the reduction 
of all the rest. 

For this purpose, an army of four thousand chosen 
British troops, and three thousand Germans, were put 
under the command of Gen. Burgoyne ; Gen. Carleton 
was directed to use his interest with the Indians, to per- 
suade them to join in this expedition ; and the province 
of Quebec was to furnish large parties to join in the 
same. 

The officers who commanded under Gen. Burgoyne, 
were, Gen. Phillips of the artillery, Generals Fraser, 
Powell, and Hamilton, with the German officers. Gene- 
rals Reidesel and Speecht. The soldiers were all ex- 
cellently disciplined, and had been kept in their winter 
quarters with all imaginable care, in order to prepare 
them for the expedition on which they were going. 

To aid the principal expedition, another was projected 
on the Mohawk river, under Col. St. Leger, who was to 
be assisted by Sir John Johnson, son of the famous Sir 
William Johnson, who had so greatly distinguished him- 
self in the war of 1755. 

On the 21st of June, 1777, the army encamped on the 
western side of Lake Champlain ; where, being joined 
by a considerable body of Indians, Gen. Burgoyne made 
a speech, in which, it is said, he exhorted these new al- 
lies, but ineffectually, to lay aside their ferocious and 
barbarous manner of making war ; to kill only such as 
opposed them in arms ; and to spare prisoners, with 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION-. 105 

such women and children as should fall into their hands. 
After issuing a proclamation, in which the force of Bri- 
tahi, and that which he commanded, was set forth in 
very ostentatious terms, the campaign opened with the 
siege of Ticonderoga. 

The place was very strong, and garrisoned by six 
thousand men, under Gen. Sinclair ; nevertheless, the 
works ^vere so extensive, that even this number was 
scarcely sufficient to defend them properly. They 
had therefore omitted to fortify a rugged eminence 
called Mount Defiance, the top of which overlooked, 
and effectually commanded the whole works ; ima- 
gining, perhaps, that the difficulty of the ascent would 
be sufficient to prevent the enemy from taking posses- 
sion of it. 

On the approach of the first division of the British, 
the Americans abandoned and set fire to their outworks ; 
and so expeditious were the British troops, that by the 
6th of July, every post was secured, which was jugded 
necessary for investing it completely. A road was soon 
after made to the very summit of that eminence which 
the Americans had ''supposed could not be ascended; 
and so much were they now disheartened, that they in- 
stantly abandoned the fort entirely, taking the road to 
Skeenesborough, a place at the head of Lake Cham- 
plain ; while their baggage, with what artillery and mi- 
litary stores they could carry off", were sent to the same 
place by water. 

But the British generals were determined not to let 
them pass so easily. Both were pursued, and both 
overtaken. Their armed vessels consisted only of five 
galleys ; two of which were taken, and three blown 
up ; on which they set fire to their boats and fortifica- 
tions at Skeenesborough. On this occasion, the Ame- 
ricans lost two hundred boats, one hundred and thirty 
pieces of cannon, together with all their provisions and 
baggage. 

The American land forces, under Col. Francis, made 
a brave defence against Gen. Fraser ; and, superior ia 
number, had almost overpowered him, when General 



106 HISTORY or THE 

Reidesel, with a large body of Germans, came to his 
assistance. The Americans were now overpowered in 
their turn ; and their commander being killed, they fled 
on all sides with great precipitation. In this action, two 
hundred Americans were killed, and as many taken pris- 
oners, and above six hundred wounded, many of whom 
perished in the woods for want of assistance. 

During the engagement, Gen. Sinclair was at Castle- 
ton, about ten miles from the place ; but, instead of go- 
ing forward to Fort Ann, the next place of strength, he 
repaired to the woods which lie between that fortress 
and New England. Gen. Burgoyne, however, detach- 
ed Col. Hill, with the ninth regiment, in order to inter- 
cept such as should attempt to retreat toward Fort 
Ann. 

On his way, he met with a body of Americans, said to 
be six times as numerous as his own ; but after an en- 
gagement of three hours, they were obliged to retire 
with great loss. After so many disasters, despairing of 
being able to make any stand at Fort Ann, they set fire 
to it, and retired to Fort Edward. In all these engage- 
ments, the killed and wounded in the Britsh army did not 
exceed two hundred men. 

Gen. Burgoyne was now obliged to suspend his ope- 
rations for some time, and wait at Skeenesborough for 
the arrival of his tents, provisions, &c. but employed this 
interval in making roads through the country about Fort 
Ann, and in clearing a passage for his troops to proceed 
against the enemy. This was attended with incredible 
toil ; but all obstacles were surmounted with equal pa- 
tience and resolution by the army. 

In short, after undergoing the utmost difficulty that 
could be undergone, and making every exertion that 
man could make, he arrived with his army before Fort 
Edward, about the end of July. Here Gen. Schuyler 
had been for some time endeavouring to recruit the shat- 
tered American forces, and had been joined by Gen. 
Sinclair, with the remains of his army ; the garrison of 
Fort George also, situated on the lake of that name, 
had evacuated the place, and retired to Fort Edward, 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION 107 

But on the approach of the royal army, the Ameri- 
cans retired from Fort Edward also, and formed their 
head quarters at Saratoga. Notwithstanding the great 
successes of the British general, they showed not the 
least disposition to submit, bat seemed only to consider 
how they might make the most etfectual resistance. 
For this purpose, the militia vvas every where raised, 
and draughted to join the army at Saratoga ; and such 
numbers of volunteers were daily added, that they soon 
began to recover from the alarm into which they had' 
been thrown. 

That they might have a commander whose abilities 
could be relied on, Gen. Arnold was appointed, who 
repaired to Saratoga with a considerable train of artille- 
ry ; but receivijig intelligence that Col. St. Leger was 
proceeding with great rapidity in his expedition on the 
Mohawk river, he removed to Stillwater, about half 
Tvay between Saratoga and the junction of the Mohawk 
and Hudson rivers. 

The colonel, in the meantime, had advanced as far 
as Fort Stanwix ; the siege of which he pressed with 
great vigour. On the 6th of August, understanding that 
a supply of provisions, escorted by eight or nine hun- 
dred men, was on the way to the fort, he despatched Sir 
John Johnson, with a strong detachment, to intercept 
it. This he did so effectually, that, besides intercept- 
ing the provisions, four hundred of its guard were slain, 
two hundred taken, and the rest escaped with great 
difficulty. 

The garrison, however, were not to be intimidated 
by this disaster, nor by the threats or representations of 
the colonel ; on the contrary, they made several suc- 
cessful sallies under Col. Willet, the second in com- 
mand ; and this gentleman, in company with another, 
even ventured out of the fort, and, eluding the vigi- 
lance of the enemy, passed through them, in order to 
hasten the march of Gen. Arnold to their assistance. 

Thus the affairs of Col. St. Leger seemed to be In 
no very favourable situation, notwithstanding his late 
Buecess, and they were soon totally ruined by the deser- 



108 HISTORY OF THE 

tion of the Indians. They had been alarmed by the 
report of Gen. Arnold's advancing with two thousand 
men to the relief of the fort ; and while the colonel 
was attempting to give them encouragement, another 
report was spread, that Gen^ Burgoyne had been de- 
feated with great slaughter, and was now flying before 
the Americans. On this he was obliged to do as they 
thought proper ; and the retreat could not be effected 
without the loss of the tents, and some of the artillery 
and military stores. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

Gen. Burgoyne determines on reducing Bennington. — Brave 
defence of that place by the Americans under Gen. Stark. 
British army encamp near Saratog-a, and are attacked and 
beaten by the Americans.— Gen. Fraser killed. — Gen. Ar- 
nold wounded. — Ccl. Breyman killed.— The Germans de- 
feated with great slaughter. — Distress of the British army, 
for want of provisions, &c. — Gen. Burgoyne surrenaers to- 
Gen. Gates, by capitulation. — American works on the 
North river destroyed by Gen. Clinton. — Esopus burnt. 

General Burgoyne, in the mean time, notwithstand- 
ing the difficulties he had already sustained, found that 
he must still encounter more. The roads he had made, 
with so much labour and pains, were destroyed, eithel' 
by the wetness of the season, or by the enemy, so that 
the provisions he had brought from Fort George could 
not arrive at his camp without the most prodigious 
toil. 

On hearing of the siege of Fort Stanwix, by Col. 
St. Leger, the general determined to move forward, in 
hopes of enclosing the Americans between his own 
army and that of St. Leger, or of obtaining the com- 
mand of all the country between Fort Stanwix and Alba- 
ny, and forming a junction with Col. St. Leger, which 
could not but be attended with the most happy conse- 
quences. The only difficulty in the way of this pro- 
ject appeared to be the want of provisioni ; and te 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 109 

remedy this, Gen. Burgoyne proposed to reduce the 
American magazines at Bennington. 

For this purpose, Col. Baum, a German oiSicer of 
great bravery, was despatched with a body of five 
hundred men. The place was about twenty miles to 
the eastward of Hudson's river ; and to support Col. 
Baum's party, the whole army marched up the river's 
bank, and encamped almost opposite to Saratoga, with 
the river betwixt it and that place. An advanced party 
was posted at Batten-Kill, between the camp and Ben- 
nington, in order to support Col. Baum. In their way 
the British seized a large supply of cattle and provisions, 
which were immediately sent to the camp ; but the 
badness of the roads retarded their march so much, that 
intelligence of their design reached Bennington, where 
the Americans were collected in considerable force 
under Gen. Stark. 

Understanding now that the American force was 
greatly superior to his own, Col. Baum acquainted Gen. 
Burgoyne, who immediately despatched Col. Breyman 
with a party to his assistance ; but, through the same 
causes that had retarded the march of Col. Baum, this 
assistance could not arrive in time. 

Gen. Stark, in the mean time, determined to attack 
the two parties separately ; and for this purpose advan- 
ced against Col. Baum, whom he surrounded on all sidesi, 
and attacked with the utmost violence. The troops de- 
fended themselves with great valour, but were to a man 
either killed or taken. 

Col. Breyman, after a desperate engagement, had the 
good fortune to effect a retreat through the darkness of 
the night, which otherwise he could not have done, as 
his men had expended all their ammunition — being forty 
rounds to each. 

Gen. Burgoyne, thus disappointed in his attempt oa 
Bennington, applied himself with indefatigable diHgence 
to procure provisions from Fort George ; and having 
at length amassed a sufficient quantity to last for a month, 
he threw a bridge of boats over the river Hudson, 
10 



no HISTORY OP THE 

which he crossed about the middle of September, en- 
camping on the hills and plains near Saratoga. 

As soon as he approached the American army, at this 
lime encamped at Stillwater under Gen. Gates, he de- 
termined to make an attack ; for which purpose he put 
himself at the head of the central division of his army, 
having Gen. Fraser and Col. Breyman on the right, with 
Generals Reidesel and Philips on the left. 

In this position, he advanced toward the Americans 
on the 19th of September. But the Americans did not 
wait to be attacked : on the contrary, they attacked the 
central division with the utmost violence ; and it was not 
until Gen. Philips came up with the artillery, and at 
eleven o'clock at night, that they could be induced to 
retire to their camp. 

On this occasion, the British lost about five hundred 
in killed and wounded, and the Americans about three 
hundred and nineteen. The former were very much 
alarmed at the obstinate resolution shown by the Ameri- 
cans; but this did not prevent them from advancing 
toward their enemy, and posting themselves the next 
day within cannon shot of their lines. But their allies, 
the Indians, began to desert in great numbers. 

At the same time Gen. Burgoyne was in the highest 
degree mortified at receiving no intelligence of any assis- 
tance from Sir Henry Clinton, as had been stipulated. 
He now received a letter from him, by which he was 
informed, that Sir Henry intended to make a diver- 
sion oil the North river in his favour. This afforded but 
little comfort ; however, he returned an answer by 
several trusty persons, whom he despatched different 
ways, stating his present distressed situation, and men- 
tioning that the provisions and other necessaries he had, 
would only enable him to hold out till the 12th of 
October. 

In the mean time, the Americans, in order to cut off 
the retreat of the British army in the most effectual 
manner, undertook an expedition against Ticonderoga ; 
tut were obliged to abandon the enterprise, after hav- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Ill 

ing surprised all the outposts, and taken a great num- 
ber of boats, with some armed vessels, and a number 
of prisoners. 

Tiie army under Gen. Burgoyne, however, continued 
to labour under the greatest distresses ; so that in the 
beginning of October he had been obhged to diminish 
the soldiers' allowance. On the 7th of that month, he 
determined to move toward the enemy. For this pur- 
pose he sent a body of fifteen hundred men to recon- 
noitre their left wing ; intending, if possible, to break 
thi'ough it, in order to effect a retreat. The detachment, 
however, had not proceeded far, when a dreadful attack 
was made upon the left wing of the British army, which 
was with great difficulty preserved from being entirely 
broken, by a reinforcement brought up by Gen. Fraser, 
who was killed in the attack. 

After the troops had, with the most desperate efforts, 
regained their camp, it was most furiously assaulted by 
Gen. Arnold, who, notwithstanding all opposition, would 
have forced the entrenchments, had he not received 
a dangerous wound, which obliged him to retire. Thus 
the attack failed on the left ; but on the right the 
camp of the German reserve was forced. Col. Brey- 
man killed, and his countrymen defeated with great 
slaughter, and the loss of all their artillery and baggage. 

This was by far the heaviest loss the British army 
had sustained since the action at Bunker's Hill. The 
list of killed and wounded amounted to near twelve 
hundred, exclusive of the Germans ; but the greatest 
misfortune was, that the Americans had now an opening 
on the right and rear of the British forces, so tliat the 
army was threatened with entire destruction. 

This obliged Gen. Burgoyne once more to shift his 
position, that the Americans might also be obliged to 
alter theirs. This was accomplished on the night of the 
7th, without any loss, and all the next day he continued 
to offer the Americans battle ; but they were now too 
well assured of obtaining a complete victory, by cutting 
off all supplies from the British, to risk a pitched battle. 
Wherefore they advanced on the right side, in order to 



X12 



HISTORY or THE 




AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 113 

enclose him entirely ; which obliged the general to 
dh'ect a retreat toward Saratoga. 

But the Americans had now stationed a great force 
on the ford at Hudson's river, so that the only possible 
retreat was by securing a passage to Lake George ; and 
to effect this, a body of workmen were detached, with 
a strong guard, to repair the roads and bridges that led 
to Fort Edward. As soon as they were gone, how- 
ever, the Americans seemed to prepare for an attack ; 
which rendered it necessary to recall the guard, and 
tiie workmen being of course left exposed, could not 
proceed. 

In the mean time, the boats which conveyed provi- 
sions down the river, were exposed to the continual fire 
of the American marksmen, who took many of them ; 
so that it became necessary to convey the provisions 
over land. In this extreme danger, it was resolved to 
march by night to Fort Edward, forcing the passages at 
t!ie fords, either above or below the place. 

In order to effect this the more easily, it was resolved, 
that the soldiers should carry their provisions on their 
backs, leaving behind their baggage, and every other 
incumbrance. But before this could be executed, 
intelligence 'was received that the Americans had raised 
strong entrenchments opposite to these fords, well pro- 
vided with cannon, ai»id that they had likewise taken 
possession of the rising ground between Fort George 
and Fort Edward, which in like manner was provided 
with cannon. 

All this time the American army was increasing, by 
the continual arrival of militia and volunteers from all 
parts. Their parties extended all along the opposite 
bank of the river, and some had even passed it, in order 
to observe the least movement of the British army. 
The whole force under Gen. Gates was computed to 
amount to sixteen thousand men, while the army under 
Gen. Burgoyne scarce amounted to six thousand ; and 
every part of the camp was reached by the grape and 
rifle shot of the Americans, |)e3ides a discharge from 
their artillery, which was almost incessant. 
10* 



114 HISTORY OF THE 

In this state of extreme distress and danger, the British 
army continued with the greatest constancy and perse- 
verance, till the evening of the 13th of October, when 
an inventory of provisions being taken, it was found 
that no more remained than was sufficient to serve for 
three days ; and a council of war being called, it was 
unanimously determined, that there was no method 
now remaining but to treat with the Americans. In 
consequence of this, a negotiation was opened the next 
day, which speedily terminated in the capitulation of 
the whole British army ; the principal article of which 
was, that the troops were to have a free passage to 
Britain, on condition of not serving against America 
during the war. 

On this occasion. Gen. Gates, with a generous mag- 
nanimity, ordered his army to keep within their camp, 
while the British soldiers went to a place appointed for 
them to lay down their arms, that the latter might not 
have the additional mortification of being made specta- 
cles on so melancholy an event. 

The number of those who surrendered at Saratoga, 
amounted to five thousand seven hundred and fifty, ac- 
cording to the American accounts ; the list of sick and 
wounded left in the camp, when the army retreated to 
Saratoga, to five hundred and twenty-eight ; and the 
number of those lost by other accidents, since the taking 
of Ticonderoga, to near three thousand. Thirty-five 
brass field-pieces, seven thousand stand of arms, cloth- 
ing for an equal number of soldiers, with the tents, mili- 
tary chest, &c. constituted the booty on this occasion. 

Sir Henry Clinton, in the mean time, had sailed up 
the North river, and destroyed the two forts called 
Montgomery and Clinton, with Fort Constitution, and 
another place called Continental Village, where were 
barracks for two thousand men. Seventy large can- 
non were carried away, besides a number of smaller 
artillery, and a great quantity of stores and ammuni- 
tion : a large boom and chain, reaching across the river 
from Fort Montgomery to a point of land called St. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 115 

Anthony's Nose, and which cost not less than 7000Z. 
sterling, were partly destroyed, and partly carried away, 
as was also another boom of little less value, at Fort 
Constitution. The loss of the British army was but 
small in number, though some officers of great merit 
were killed in the different attacks. 

Another attack was made by Sir James Wallace, with 
some frigates, and a body of land forces under General 
Vaughan. The place which now suffered was named 
Esopus. The fortifications were destroyed, and the 
town itself was wantonly reduced to ashes, as Continen- 
tal Village had been before. 

But these successes, of whatever importance they 
might be, were now disregarded by both parties. They 
served only to irritate the Americans, flushed with their 
success ; and they were utterly insufficient to raise the 
spirits of the British, who were now thrown into the ut- 
most dismay. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Treaty with France. — Favourable dispositions of Europeaa 
powers. — Gov, Johnstone attempts to bribe members of con- 
gress. — Evacuation of Philadelphia. — Battle at Freehold. — 
Gen. Lee tried for disobedience of orders, and suspended 
from his command. — Count d'Estaing- arrives with a fleet 
and troops from France. — Expedition against Rhode-Island. 
— Destruction of American vessels, magazines, &c. at Buz- 
zard's Bay. — Capture of sheep and cattle at Martha's Vine- 
yard. American cavalry defeated on the North River. — 
Little Eg^ Harbour reduced by the British. Pulaski's le- 
gion surprised, and put to the sword. 

On the 16th of March, 1778, Lord North intimated 
to the house of commons, that a paper had been laid be- 
fore the king by the French ambassador, intimating the 
conclusion of an alliance between the court of France 
and the United States of America. The preJiminariea 
of this treaty had been concluded in the end of the year 
1777, and a copy of them sent to congress, in order to 
counteract any proposals that might be made in the 



116 HISTORY OF THE 

mean time by the British ministry. On the 6th of Fe- 
bruary, 1778, the articles were formally signed, to the 
great satisfaction of the French nation. They were in 
substance as follows : 

1. If Great Britain should, in consequence of this 
treaty, proceed to hostilities against France, the two na- 
tions should mutually assist one another. 

2. The main end of the treaty was, in an effectual 
manner to maintain the independence of America. 

3. Should those places of North America still sub- 
ject to Britain, be reduced by the states, they should 
be confederated with them, or subjected to their juris- 
diction. 

4. Should any of the West-India islands be reduced by 
France, they should be deemed its property. 

5. No formal treaty with Great Britain should be 
concluded, either by France or America, without the 
consent of each other ; and it was mutually agreed, that 
they should not lay down their arms till the indepen- 
dence of the states had been formally acknowledged. 

6. The contracting parties mutually agreed, to invite 
those powers that had received injuries from Great Bri- 
tain, to join in the common cause. 

7. The United States guaranteed to France all the 
possessions in the West Indies which she should con- 
quer ; and France, in her turn, guaranteed the absolute 
independence of the states, and their supreme authority 
over every country they possessed, or might acquire du- 
ring the war. 

The notification of such a treaty as this could not but 
be looked upon as a declaration of war. On its being an- 
nounced to the house, every one agreed in an address to 
his majesty, promising to stand by him to the utmost in 
the present emergency ; but it was warmly contended by 
the members in opposition, that the present ministry 
ought to be removed, on account of their numberless 
blunders and miscarriages in every instance. 

Many were of opinion, that the only way to extricate 
the nation from its trouble, was to acknowledge the in- 
dependence of America at once ; and thus they might 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 117 

Still do with a good grace, what must inevitably be done 
at last, after expending much more blood and treasure 
than had yet been la^'shed in this unhappy contest. 

The ministerial party, however, entertained different 
ideas. Instigated by zeal for the national honour, it 
was determined at once to resent the arrogance of 
France, and prosecute hostilities against America with 
more vigour than ever, should the terms now offered them 
be rejected. 

The Americans, in the mean time, assiduously em- 
ployed their agents at the courts of Spain, Vienna, Prus- 
sia, and Tuscany, in order, if possible, to conclude al- 
liances with them, or at least to procure an acknowledg- 
ment of their independence. As it had been reported 
that Britain intended to apply to Russia for assistance, 
the American commissioners were enjoined to use their 
utmost influence with the German princes, to prevent 
such auxiliaries from marching through their territories, 
and to endeavour to procure the recall of the German 
troops already sent to America. 

To France they offered a cession of such West-India 
islands as should be taken by the united strength of 
France and America ; and should Britain, by their joint 
endeavours, be dispossessed of Newfoundland, Cape 
Breton, and Nova Scotia, these territories should be di- 
vided betwixt the two nations, and Great Britain be to- 
tally excluded from the fishery. 

The proposals made to the Spanish court were, that in 
case they should think proper to espouse their quarrel, 
the American states should assist in reducing Pensacola 
under the dominion of Spain, provided their citizens 
were allowed the free navigation of the river Mississippi, 
and the use of the harbour of Pensacola; and they fur- 
ther offered, that, if agreeable to Spain, they would de- 
clare war against Portugal, should that power expel the 
American ships from its ports. 

In the mean time, the troops under Gen. Burgoyne 
were preparing to embark for England, agreeably to 
the articles of capitulation at Saratoga ; but congress, 
having received information that many articles of am- 



118 HISTORY or THE 

munition and accoutrements had not been surrendered . 
agreeably to the stipulated terms, and finding some 
cause to apprehend that sinister designs were harboured 
on the part of Great Britain, to convey these troops to 
join the army at Philadelphia or New- York, positively 
refused to let them embark, until an explicit ratification 
of the convention should be properly notified by the 
British court. 

The season for action was now approaching ; and 
congress was indefatigable in its preparations for a new 
campaign, which it was confidently said would be the 
last. Among other methods taken for this purpose, it 
was recommended to all young gentlemen of the states, 
to form themselves into bodies of cavalry, to serve at 
their own expense during the war. Gen. Washington, 
at the same .^ime, to remove all incumbrances from his 
army, lightened the baggage as much as possible, by 
substituting sacks and portmanteaus in place of chests 
and boxes, and using pack horses instead of waggons. 

On the other hand, the British army, expecting to be 
reinforced by twenty thousand men, thought of nothing 
but concluding the war according to their wishes before 
the end of the campaign. It was with the utmost con- 
cern, as well as indignation, therefore, that they received 
the news of Lord North's conciliatory bill. It was uni- 
versally looked upon as a national disgrace ; and some 
even tore their cockades from their hats, and trampled 
them under their feet, as a token of their indignation. 
By the Americans it was received with indifference. 
The British commissioners endeavoured to make it as 
public as possible ; and the congress, as formerly, ordered 
it to be printed in all the newspapers. 

On this occasion Gov. Tryon enclosed several copies 
of the bill to Gen. Washington in a letter, entreating 
that he would allow them to be circulated ; to which 
the general returned for answer a copy of a newspaper, 
in which the bill was printed, with the resolutions of 
congress upon it. These were, that whosoever pre- 
sumed to make a separate agreement with Britain should 
be deemed a public enemy ; that the United States could 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 119 

not with propriety keep correspondence with the com- 
missioners until their independence was acknowledged, 
and the British fleets and armies removed from America. 

At the same time, the states were warned not to suffer 
themselves to be deceived into security by any offers 
that might be made ; but to use their utmost endea- 
vours to send their quotas with all diligence into the 
field. The individuals with whom the commissioners 
conversed on the subject of the conciliatory bill, gene- 
rally returned for answer, that the day of reconciliation 
was past ; and that the haughtiness of Britain had ex- 
tinguished all filial regard in the breasts of Americans. 

About this time also, Mr. Silas Dean arrived from 
France, with two copies of the treaty of commerce and 
alliance to be signed by congress. Advices of the most 
agreeable nature were also received from various parts, 
representing in the most favourable light the dispositions 
of the European powers ; all of whom, it was said, 
wished to see the independence of America settled upon 
the most permanent basis. 

Considering the situation of matters with the Ameri- 
cans at this time, therefore, it was no wonder that the 
commissioners found themselves unable to accomplish 
the errand on which they came. Their proposals were 
utterly rejected, themselves treated as spies, and, after 
a vain attempt by Gov. Joiinstone, one of the com- 
missioners, to bribe several members of congress, all 
intercourse with them was interdicted. 

But before any final answer could be obtained from 
congress. Sir Henry Clinton had taken the resolution 
of evacuating Philadelphia. Accordingly, on the 10th 
of June, after having made all necessary preparation, 
the army marched out of the city, before noon, with 
all its baggage and other incumbrances. Gen. Wash- 
ington, apprized of this design, had despatched expresses 
into the Jerseys, with orders to collect all the force that 
could be assembled, in order to obstruct the march of 
the enemy. 

After various movements, on both sides, Sir Heniy 



120 HISTORY OF THE 

Clinton, with the royal army, arrived at Freehold on the 
27th of June, where he encamped in a very strong situ- 
ation. Here Gen. Washington determined to commence 
an attack, as soon as the enemy should again begin its 
march. 

The night was spent in moving the necessary prepara- 
tions, and Gen. Lee, with his division, was ordered 
to be ready by day-break. But Sir Henry Clinton, 
justly apprehending that the chief object of the Ameri- 
cans was the baggage, committed that to the care of 
Gen. Knyphauseri, whom he ordered to set out early 
in the morning, while he followed with the rest of the 
army. 

The attack was made, according to arrangements ; 
but the British general had taken such care to arrange 
his troops properly, and so effectually supported his 
forces during the engagement, that Gen. Lee, so far 
from making any impression on the enemy, would him- 
self have been totally defeated, had it not been for the 
timely advance of Gen. Washington with the main army. 
The British troops effected their retreat in the night with 
the loss of three hundred men, of whom many died 
through mere fatigue, without the slightest wound. 

In this action, Gen. Lee was charged by Gen. Wash- 
ington with disobedience and misconduct, in retreating 
before the British army. He was tried by a' court- 
martial, and sentenced to a temporary suspension from 
his command. 

After the arrival of the British at Sandy-Hook, a 
brlvlge of boats was, by Lord Howe's directions, thrown 
from thence over the channel, which separated the 
island from the main land, and the troops were con- 
veyed on board the fleet ; after which they sailed to 
New-York. 

After sending some light detachments to watch the 
enemy's motions. Gen. Washington marched towards the 
North river, where a great force had been collected to 
join him, and where it was now expected that some 
very capital operations would take placet 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 15^1 

In the mean time, France had set about her prepara- 
tions for the assistance of the Americans. On the 14th 
of April, Count d'Estaing had sailed from Toulon, with 
a strong squadron of ships of the line and frigates, and 
arrived on the coast of Virginia in the beginning of 
July, while the British fleet was employed in conveying 
the forces from Sandy-Hook to New- York. 

The French fleet consisted of one ship of one hundred 
and twenty guns, one of eighty, six of seventy-four, and 
four of sixty-four, besides several large frigates; and, ex- 
clusive of its compliment of sailors, had six thousand ma- 
rines and soldiers on board. To oppose this force, 
the British had only six ships of sixty-four guns, three 
of fifty guns, and two of forty, with some frigates and 
sloops. 

Notwithstanding this inferiority, however, the British 
admiral posted himself so adviuitageously, and showed 
such superior skill, that d'Estn-tif^,' did not think proper 
to attack him ; particulaily, as the pilots informed him 
that it was impracticable to caiiy liis large ships over 
the bar into the Hook, and Gi.n. Washington pressed 
him to sail for Newport. He therefore remained at 
anchor, four miles otf Sandy-Hook, till the 22d of July, 
without effecting any thing more than the capture of 
some vessels, which, through ignorance of his arrival, 
fell in his way. 

The next attempt of the French admiral, in con- 
junction with the Americans, was or. Rhode-Island. It 
was proposed that d'Estaing, vvith the six thousand 
U'oops he had with him, should inske a descent on the 
southern part of the island, while a body of the Ameri- 
cans should take possession of the norih ; at the same 
time the French squadion was to enter the harbour of 
Newport, and take and destroy all the British ship- 
ping. 

On the 8th of August, the French admiral entered 
the harbour as was proposed, but found himself unable 
to do any material damage. Lord Howe, however, in- 
»tanily set sail for Rhode-Island ; and d'Estaing, confid- 
ing in his superiority, immediately came out of the 
11 



122 HISTORY or THE 

harbour to attack him. A violent storm parted the t^.vo 
fleets, and did so much damage that thej were rendered 
totally unfit for action. ' 

The French, however, suffered most ; and several 
of their ships beina^ afterwards attacked singly by the 
I^ritish, very narrowly escaped being taken. On the 
20th of August, d'Estaing returned to Newport in a very 
i^hattered condition ; and not thinking himself safe there, 
sailed two days after for Boston. Gen. Sullivan, in the 
meantime, had landed on the northern part of Rhode- 
Island, with ten thousand men. 

On the 17th of August, they began their operations, 
by erecting batteries, and making their approaches to 
the British lines. But Gen. Pigot, who commanded in 
Newport, had tal^en such effectual care to secure him- 
self on the land side, that without assistance of a ma 
rine force it was altogether impossible to attack him 
with any probability of success. The conduct of 
d'Estaing, therefore, v»'ho had abandoned them when 
master of the harbour, gave the greatest disgust to the 
people of New-England, and Gen. Sullivan began to 
think of a retreat. On perceiving his intentions, the 
garrison was sallied out upon him with so much vigour, 
that it was not without difficulty that he effected his 
retreat. 

He had not been gone long, when Sir Henry Clinton 
arrived with a body of four thousand men; which, had 
they arrived sooner, would have enabled the British 
commander to have gained a decisive victory over him, 
as well as to have destroyed the town of Providence, 
which, by its vicinity to Bhode-Island, and the enter- 
prises which were continually projected and carried on 
in that place, kept the inhabitants of Rhode-Island in 
continual alarms. 

The first British expedition was to Buzzard's Bay, 
en the coast of New-England, and in the neighbourhood 
of Rhode-Island. Here they destroyed a great number 
of privateers and merchantmen, magazines, store-houses, 
&c. From this they proceeded to a fertile and popu- 
1«U3 island called Martha's Vineyard, from whenee 



AMERICAN REVOLUTIOiV. 123 

they carried off ten thousand sheep, and three hundred 
black cattle. 

Another expedition took place up the North river, 
under Lord Cornwaliis and Gen. Knyphaussen •. the 
principal event of which was, the destruction of a regi- 
ment of American cavalry, know^n by the name of 
Washington's Light-Horse. 

A third expedition was directed to Little Egg Har- 
bour, in New-Jersey, a place noted for privateers, the 
destruction of which was its principal intention, it 
was conducted by Captains Ferguson and GoIIins, and 
ended in the destruction of the American vessels, as 
well as of the place itself. At the same time, part of 
another body of American troops, called Pulaski's le- 
gion, was surprised, and a great number of them put 
to the sword. 



CHAPTER XX. 

American expedition to West-Florida. — British expedition to 
Georg-ia. — Savannah taken.— Georgia in possession of the 
British. — Americans defeated at Briar's Creek. — British gain 
possession of St. James', St. John's, and Port Royal. —Couut 
d'Estaing sails to the West-Indies ; is recalled to the United 
States; contemplates the recovery of Georgia ; arrives off 
the coast, and captures several vessels. — Summons Gen. Pre- 
vost to surrender Savannah. — The town assaulted. — Count 
Pulaski killed. — Count d'Estaing wounded. 

IN the beginning of this year, the Americans had 
projected the conquest of West-Florida ; and one 
Capt. Willing, with a party of resolute men, had' made 
a successful incursion into that country. This awak- 
ened the attention of the British to the southern states, 
and an expedition against them was determined on. 
Georgia was the place of destination ; and, the more 
effectually to ensure success. Col. Campbell, with a 
sufficient force, under convoy of some ships of war 
commanded by Sir Hyde Parker, embarked at New- 
York ; while Gen. Prevost, who commanded in East- 



124 HISTORY OF THE ' 

Florida, was directed to set out with dl the force he 
could spare. 

The armament from New-York arrived off the coast 
of Georgia, in tl)e month of December ; and though 
the Ameri .ans were very strongly posted in an advan- 
tageous situation on shore, the British troops made 
good their landing, and advanced toward Savannah, the 
capital of the state. That very day they defeated the 
force of the Americans which opposed them, and took 
possession of the town with such celerity, that the Ame- 
ricans had not time to execute a resolution they had 
taken of setting it on fire. 

In ten days, the whole state of Georgia was reduced, 
Sunbury alone excepted ; and this was also brought 
under subjection by Gen. Prevost, in his march north- 
ward. Every possible method was taken to secure 
the tranquillity of the country ; and rewards were of- 
fered for apprehending committee and assemblymen, or 
such as were judged most inimical to the British inte- 
rests. On the arrival of Gen. Prevost, the command 
of the troops naturally devolved on him, as the senior 
oflBcer ; and the conquest of Carolina was next pro- 
jected. 

In this attempt, there was no small probability of 
success. The country contained a great number of 
friends to the British government, who now eagerly em- 
braced the opportunity of declaring themselves ; ma- 
ny of the inhabitants of Georgia had joined the royal 
utandard ; and there was not in the state any considera- 
ble body of American forces, capable of opposing the 
efforts of regular and well disciplined troops. 

On the first news of Gen. Prevost's approach, the 
royalists assembled in a body, imagining themselves 
able to stand their ground until their allies should ar- 
rive ; but in this they were disappointed. The Ameri- 
cans attacked and defeated them, with the loss of half 
their number. The remainder retreated into Georgia ; 
and, after undergoing many difficulties, at last effected a 
junction with the British forces. 

In the mean time, Gen. Lincoln, with a considerabia 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 125 

body of American troops, had encamped within twenty 
miles of the town of Savannah; and another strong party 
had posted themselves at a place called Briar's Creek, 
farther up the river Savannah. Thus the extent of the 
British government was likely to be circumscribed 
within very narrow bounds. Gen. Prevost, therefore, 
determined to dislodge the party at Briar's Greek ; and 
the latter, trusting to their strong situation, and being 
remiss in their guard, suffered themselves to be surprised 
on the 30th of March, 1779 ; when they were utterly 
routed, with the loss of more than three hundred killed 
and taken, besides a great number drowned in the river 
or the swamps. 

The whole artillery, stores, baggage, and almost all 
the arms of this unfortunate party, were taken, so that 
they could no more make any stand ; and thus the state 
of Georgia was once more freed from the Americans, 
and a communication opened with those places in Caro- 
lina where the royalists chiefl}'- resided. 

The victory at Briar's Creek proved of considerable 
service to the British cause. Great numbers of the 
royalists joined their army, and considerably augmented 
its force. Hence they were enabled to stretch their 
posts further up the river, and to gu3rd all the prin- 
cipal passes ; so that Gen. Lincoln was reduced to a 
Btate of inaction, and at last moved off toward Augusta, 
in order to protect the state legislature, which waa 
obliged to sit in that place, the capital being now in the 
hands of the British. 

Gen. Lincoln had no sooner quitted his post, than it 
was judged a proper time by the British general to put 
in execution the grand scheme which had been medi- 
tated against Carolina. Many difficulties indeed lay ia 
his way ; the river Savannah was so swollen by the ex- 
cessive rains of the season, that it seemed impassible ; 
the opposite shore, for a great way, was so full of swamps 
and marshes, that no army could m.arch over it without 
the greatest difficulty; and, to render the passage 
still more difficult, Gen. Moultrie was left with a 
11* 



1^ HISTORY ot th:^ 

considerable body of troops in order to oppose tli8 
enemy's attempts. 

But in spite of every opposition, the constancy and 
perseverance of the British forces at last prevailed. — 
Gen. Moultrie was obliged to retire toward Charleston ; 
and the pursuing army, after having waded through the 
marnhes for some time, at last arrived in an open coun- 
try, through which they pursued their march with great 
rapidity toward the capital ; while Gen. Lincoln made 
preparations to march to its relief. 

Certain intelligence of the danger to which Charles- 
ton was exposed, animated the American general. A 
chosen body of infantry, mounted on horseback for the 
great expedition, was despatched before bim ; while 
Gen. Lincoln himself followed with all the forces he 
could collect. Gen. Moultrie, too, with the troops he 
had brought from Savannah, and some others he had 
collected since bis retreat from thence, had taken pos- 
session of all tl>e avenues leading to Charleston, and 
prepared for a vigorous defence. But all opposition 
proved ineffectual ; and the British army was allowed 
to come within cannon shot of Charleston, on the 12th 
of May. 

The town was now summoned to surrender, and the 
inhabitants would gladly have agreed to observe a neu- 
trality during the rest of the war, and would have en- 
gaged also for the rest of the state. But these terms 
not being accepted, they made preparations for a vigo- 
rous defence. It was not, however, in the power of 
the British commander at this time to make an attack 
with any prospect of success. Ills artillery was not of 
s^fBcient weight ; there were no ships to support his 
attack by land ; and Gen. Lincoln, advancing rapidly 
with asuperior army, threatened to enclose him between 
his own force and the town ; so that should he fail in 
his first attempt, certain destruction would be the con- 
sequence. 

For these reasons he withdrew bis forces from be- 
fore the town, and took possession of two islands called 
§t. James* and St. John's, lying to the southward i 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Itl 

where, having waited some time, his force was aug- 
mented by the arrival of two frigates. With these he 
determined to make himself master of Port Royal, an- 
other island possessed of an excellent harbour and manjr 
other natural advantages, from its situation also com- 
manding ail the sea coast from Charleston to Savannah 
river. 

The American general, however, did not allow this 
to be accomplished without opposition. Perceiving 
that his opponents had occupied an advantageous post 
on St. John's island, preparatory to his enterprise 
against Port Royal, he attempted, on the 20l.h of June, 
to dislodge them from it ; but, after an obstinate attack, 
the Am.ericans were obliged to retire with considerable 
loss. 

On this occasion, the success of the British arms was 
in a great measure owing to an armed float, which galled 
the right ffank of the Americans so effectually, that they 
could direct their efforts only against the strongest part 
of the lines, which proved impregnable to their attacks. 
This disappointment w-as instantly followed by the loss 
of Port Royal, which Gen. Prevost took possession of, 
and put his troops into proper stations, waiting for the 
arrival of such reinforcements as were necessary for 
the in-tended attack on Charleston. 

The profligate conduct of the refugees, and the offi- 
cers and f-oldiers of tlie British, in plundering the houses 
of individuals, during this incursion is incredible. Ne- 
groes were seduced or forced from their masters ; fur- 
niture and plate were seized without decency or authori- 
ty ; and the most infamous violations of every law of 
honour and honesty were openly perpetrated. Indi- 
viduals thus accumulated wealth, but the reputation of 
the British arms incurred an everlasting stigma. 

In the mean time, Count d'Estaing, who, as we hare 
already observed, had put into Boston harbour to refit, 
had used his utmost endeavours to ingratiate himself 
with the inhabitants of that city. Zealous also in the 
cause of his master, he had published a proclamation, 
to be dispersed through Canada, invituag the people t* 



128 HISTORY OF THE 

return to their original friendship with France, and de- 
claring that all who renounced their allegiance to Great 
Britain, should certainly find a protector in the king of 
France. All his endeavours, however, proved insuffi- 
cient at this time to produce any revolution, or even to 
form a party of any consequence among the Canadians. 

As soon as the French admiral had refitted his fleet, 
he took the opportunity, while that of Admiral Byron 
Lad heen shattered by a storm, of sailing to the West- 
Indies. During his operations there, the Americans ha- 
ving represented his conduct as totally unserviceable to 
them, he received orders from Europe to assist the 
states with all possible speed. 

In compliance with these orders, be directed his 
course toward Georgia, with a design to recover that 
state out of the hands of the enemy, and to put it, as 
well as South Carolina, in such a posture of defence, as 
would effectually secure them from any future attack. 
This seemed to be an easy matter, from the little force 
with which he knew he should be opposed ; and the 
next object in contemplation, was no less than the de- 
struction of the British fleet and army at New- Fork, 
and their total expulsion from the continent of America. 

Full of these hopes, the French commander arrived 
off the coast of Georgia, with a fleet of twenty-two sail 
of the line, and ten large frigates. His arrival was so 
little expected, that several vessels laden with provisions 
and m.ilitary stores fell into his hands ; the Experiment, 
also, a vessel of fifty guns, commanded by Sir James 
Wallace,^ was taken, after a stout resistance. 

On jthe continent, the British troops were divided. 
Gen. Prevost, with an inconsiderable part, remained at 
Savannah ; but the main force was under Col. Mait- 
land, at Port Royal. On the first appearance of the 
French fleet, an express was despatched to Col. Mait- 
land, but it was intercepted by the Americans ; so that 
before he could set out in order to join the commander- 
in-chief, the Americans had secured most of the passes 
by land, while the French fleet eflectuaHy blocked up 
Iho passage by sea. But, by taking advantage of crecti 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 129 

and inlets, and marching over land, he arrived just in 
time to relieve Savannah. 

D'Estaing had allowed Gen. Provost twenty-four 
hours to deliberate whether he should capitulate or noU 
This time the general employed in making the best pre- 
parations he could for a defence ; and during this time 
it was that Col. Maitland arrived. D'Estaing's sum- 
mons was now rejected ; and there was every proba- 
bility of success on the part of the British. The garri- 
son now consisted of three thousand men, all of ap- 
proved valour and experience ; while the united force 
of the French and Americans did not amount to ten 
thousand. 

The event was answerable to the expectations of the 
British general. Having the advantage of a strong for- 
tification, and excellent engineers, the fire of the allies 
made so little impression, that d'Estaing resolved to 
bombard the town, and a battery of nine mortars was 
erected for this purpose. This produced a request 
from Gen. Prevost, that the women and children might 
be allowed to retire to a place of safety. But the allied 
commanders, from motives of policy, refused compliance ; 
and they resolved to give a general assault. 

This was accordingly attempted on the 9th of Octo- 
ber ; but the assailants w^ere every where repulsed with 
such slaughter, that twelve hundred were killed and 
wounded ; among the former was Count Pulaski, the 
celebrated conspirator against the reigning king of Poland, 
and among the latter was d'Estaing himself. 

This disaster entirely overthrew the sanguine hopes 
of the Americans and French ; but, so far from re- 
proaches or animosity arising between them, their com- 
mon misfortune seemed to increase their coniidence and 
esteem for each other : a circumstance fairly to be 
attributed to the conciliatory conduct of Gen. Lincoln 
upon every occasion. After waiting eight days longer, 
both parties prepared for a retreat, the French to their 
shipping, and the Americans into Carolina, 



130 HISTORY OF THE 



CHAPTER XXI. 



Expedition against Virginia. — Vessels, stores, &c. at Ports- 
mouth destroyed. — American works at Verplank's and Stony 
Point reduced by the British. — Expedition to Connecticut. 
— Shipping- and naval stores at New-PIaven destroyed. — 
Fairiield, Norwalk, and Greenfield burnt. — Storming- of 
Stony Point. — Unsuccessful attempt on Powles Hook. — 
— American expedition to Penobscot river. — Spain joins 
the confederacy against Great Britain, and invades West- 
Florida. — Military and naval operations there. — Gen. Sulii- 
van's expedition against ihe Indians. — Indians defeated. 

1 1 IIILE the allies were thus unsuccessfully employed 
in the southern states, their antagonists were no less 
assiduous in distressing them in the northern parts. — 
Sir George Collier was sent with a fleet, carrying oji 
board Gen. Matthews, with a body of land forces, into 
the state of Virginia, Their first attempt was on the 
town of Portsmouth ; where, though the Americans 
had destroyed some ships of great value, the British 
troops arrived in time to save a great number of others. 

On this occasion about one hundred and twenty ves- 
sels of different sizes were burnt, and twenty carried 
off; and an immense quantity of provisions, designed 
for the use of Gen. Washington's army, was either 
destroyed or carried off, together with a great variety 
of naval and military stores. The fleet and army then 
returned, with little or no loss, to New-York. 

The success with which this expedition was attended, 
soon gave the enemy encouragement to attempt another. 
The Americans had for some time been employed 
in the erection of two strong forts on the Noilh river; 
the one at Verplank's Point, on the east, and the 
other at Stony Point, on the west side. These when 
completed, would have been of the utmost service 
to the Americans, as commanding the principal pass, 
called the King's Ferry, between the northern and 
southern colonies. At present, however, they were 
not in a condition to make an effectual defence ; the 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 131 

enemy therefore determined to attack them before tlie 
works should be completed. 

The force employed on this occasion was divided into 
two bodies ; one of which directed its course against 
Yerplank's, and the other against Stony Point. The 
former was commanded by Gen. Vaughan, and tlie lat- 
ter by Gen. Patterson, while the shipping was under the 
direction of Sir George Collier. General Vaughan 
met with no resistance ; the Americans at Verplank's 
Point, abandoning their works, and setting fire to every 
thing combustible that they could not carry off. At 
Stony Point, however, a vigorous defence was made, 
though the garrison was at last obliged to capitulate upon 
honourable conditions. 

To secure the possession of this last place, which 
was considered the most im.portant of the two, Gen. 
Clinton removed from his former situation, and en- 
camped in such a position as to prevent Gen. Wash- 
ington from giving any assistance. The Americans, 
however, revenged themselves by distressing, with 
their numerous privateers, the trade with the enemy at 
New-York. 

This occasioned a third expedition, to Connecticut, 
where these privateers were chiefly built and harbour- 
ed. The command of this expedition was given to 
Gov. Tryon and Gen. Garth, an officer of known value 
and experience. Under convoy of a considerable num- 
ber of armed vessels, they landed at New-Haven, where 
they demolished the batteries that had been erected 
to oppose them, and destroyed the shipping and naval 
stores ; but they spared the town itself, as the inhabit- 
ants had abstained from firing out of their houses upon 
the troops. 

From New-Haven they marched to Fairfield, where 
they proceeded as before, reducing the town to ashes. 
Norwalk was next attacked, which in like manner wa3 
reduced to ashes ; as was also Greenfield, a small sea- 
port in the neighbourhood. Such repeated conflagra- 
tions, wantonly and cruelly spread, served only to in- 



132 HISTORY OP THE 

crease the disgust which was felt bj every friend to the 
American cause. 

These successes proved very alarming, as well as de- 
trimental to the Americans ; so that Gen. Washington 
determined, at all events, to drive the enemy from Stony 
Point. For this purpose, he sent Gen. Wayne with a 
detachment of chosen men, directing him to attempt the 
recovery of it by surprise. On this occasion, the Ame- 
ricans showed a spirit and resolution exceeding any 
thing either party had performed during the war. 

Though after the capture of it by the British, the 
fortifications of this place had been completed, and were 
very strong, they attacked the enemy with bayonets, af- 
ter passing through a heavy fire of musketry and grape 
shot ; and, in spite of all opposition, obliged the surviv- 
ing part of the garrison, amounting to five hundred, to 
surrender themselves prisoners of war. 

Though the Americans did not at present attempt to 
retain possession of Stony Point, the success they had 
met with in the enterprise, emboldened them to make a 
similar attempt on Powles-Hook, a fortified place on the 
Jersey side, opposite to New- York ; but, although the 
heroism of the enterprise, and the spirit with which it 
was executed deserve applause, after having completely 
Burprised the posts, the American commander. Major 
Lee, finding it impossible to retain them, made an or- 
derly retreat, with about one hundred and sixty-one pri- 
soners, among whom were seven officers. 

Another expedition of greater importance was now 
projected on the part of the Americans. This was 
against a post on the river Penobscot, on the borders of 
Nova Scotia, of which the British had lately taken pos- 
session, and where they had begun to erect a fort, 
which threatened to be a very great inconvenience to 
the Americans. 

The armament destined against this place was so soon 
got in readiness, that Col. M'Lane, the commanding of- 
ficer at Penobscot, found himself obliged to drop the 
•xecution of part of his scheme ; and instead of a regu- 



American revolution. 193 

lar fort, to content himself with putting the works 
already constructed in as good a posture of defence as 
possible. 

The Americans could net effect a landing without a 
great deal of difficulty, and bringins? the guns of thetr 
largest vessels to bear upon tlie shore. As soon as this 
was done, however, they erected several batteries, and 
kept up a brisk fire for the space of a fortnight; after 
which they propose<i to give a 'general assault ; but be- 
fore this could be effected, they perceived Sir George 
Collier, with a British fleet, sailing up the river to 
attack them. 

On this they instantly embarked their artillery and 
military stores, sailing up the river as far as possible, in 
order to avoid him. They were so closely pursued, 
however, that not a single vessel could escape ; so that 
the whole fleet, consisting ol" uine'teen armed vessels and 
twenty-four transports, was dt'Stroyed ; most of them 
indeed being blown up by themselves. 

The soldiers and sailors were obliged to wander 
through immense desarts, where they suffered much for 
want of provisions ; and, to add to their calamities, a 
quarrel broke out between the soldiers and seamen, con- 
cerning the cause of their disaster, which ended in a 
violent fray, where a great number were killed. 

Thus, the arms of America and France being almost 
every where unsuccess.'ul, the independence of the 
former seemed yet to be in danger, notwithstanding the 
assistance of so powerful an ally ; when further en- 
couragement was given, by the accession of Spain to 
the confederacy against Great Britain, in the month of 
June, 1779. 

The first effect of this appeared in an invasion of 
West-Florida by the Spaniards, in September, 1779. 
As the country was in no state of defence, the Span- 
iards made themselves masters of the whole, almost 
without opposition. 

Their next enterprise was against the Bay of Hon- 
dttras, where the British logwood cutters wero settled, 
12 



134 HISTORT OF THE 

These finding themselves too weak to resist, applied to 
the governor of Jamaica for relief; who sent them a 
supply of men, ammunition, and military stores, under 
Capt. Dalrymple. Before the arrival of this detach- 
ment, the principal settlement in those parts, called St. 
George's Key, had been taken by the Spaniards, and 
retaken by the British. 

In this way, Capt. TJalrymple fell in with a squadron 
from Admiral Parker, in search of some register ships 
richly laden ; but which, retreating into the harbour of 
Omoa, were too strongly protected by the fort to be 
attacked with safety. A project was then forr^ed, in 
conjunction with the people of Honduras, to reduce 
this fort. The design was to surprise it ; but the 
Spaniards having* discovered them, they were obliged to 
fight. 

Victory quickly declared for the British ; but the 
fortifications were so strong, that the artillery they had 
brought along with them were found too light to make 
any impression. It v.'as then determined to try the 
success of an escalade ; and this was executed with so 
much sphnt, that the Spaniards stood astonished, with- 
out making any resistance ; and, in spite of ell the 
efforts of the officers, threw down their arms and sur- 
rendered. 

The spoil was immense, being valued at three millions 
of dollarL>. The Spaniards chiefly lamented the loss of 
two huiKh-ed and fifty quintals of quicksilver, a com- 
modity indispensably necessary in the workings of their 
gold and silver mines; so that they ofiered to ransom it 
at any price ; but this was refused, as well as the ransom 
of the fort, though the governor offered three hundred 
thousand dollars for it. 

A small garrison was left for the defence of the place, 
but it was quickly attacked by a superior force, which 
obliged them to evacuate it, though not without destroying 
everything that could be of any use to the enemy ; spiking 
the guns, and even locking the gates of the fort and carry- 
ing off the keys, AU this was done in sight of the be- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 135 

siegers ; after which the garrison embarked without the 
loss of a man. 

As no operations of any consequence took place this 
year in the state of New-York, the congress made use 
of the opportunity to despatch Gen. Sullivan, with a 
considerable force, in order to take vengeance on the 
Indians for their ravages and depredations. Of this 
the Indians were apprized ; and collecting all their 
strength, resolved to come to a decisive engagement. 

Accordingly they took a strong post in the most 
woody and mountainous part of the country ; erecting 
a breast-work in their front, of large logs of wood, ex- 
tending half a mile in length, while their right tlank 
was covered by a river, and the left by a hill of diffi- 
cult access. This advantageous position they had taken 
by the advice of the refugees who Vk'ere among them, 
and of whom two or three hundred were present in 
the battle. 

Thus posted, the Indians waited the approach of the 
American army : but the latter, having brought some 
artillery along with them, played it against the breast- 
work of the enemy with such success, that in two hours 
it was almost destroyed ; and at the same time a party 
having reached the top of the bill, the Indians became 
apprehensive of being surrounded, on which they in- 
stantly fled with precipitation. 

The Americans, after this battle, met with no further 
resistance of any consequence. They were suffered to 
proceed without interruption. On entering the country 
of the Indians, it appeared that they had been acquainted 
with agriculture and the arts of peace, far beyond what 
had been supposed. From Gen. Sullivan's pompous 
account, (which, however, became a subject of ridicule 
among the soldiers in Gen. Washington's army,) it was 
learned, that the Indian houses were large, convenient, 
and even elegant ; their grounds were excellently culti- 
vated, and their gardens abounded in fruit trees and 
vegetables of all kinds fit for food. 

The whole of this fine country would now, by the 
American general, have been converted into a desert, 



J36 HISTORY OF THE 

had it not been for the humane forbearance ^f Gen. 
Hand and Col. Durbin, in executing the orders of Gen. 
Sullivan. The desolation, however, was extensive, and 
not to be justilied by the savage character and example 
of their enemy. 



CHAPTER XXH. 

Sir Henry Clinton sails to Charleston, S. C. vith troops and 
armed ships, to aid in Ifie attack on that place.— Charleston 
attacked. — American cavalry and niihtia defeated.— British 
under Lieut. Col. Tarlelon defeated. — Charleston surren- 
dered to the British— Flarbourof New-York shut up bv the 
ice.— Unsuccessful expedition to Staten Island.— Gen. Clin- 
ton's proclamations. 

W E must now take a view of the transactions in the 
!^outhern slates, to which the war was, in the year 1780, 
80 effectnally transferred, tliat the operations there be- 
came at last decisive. The success of Gen. Prevost in 
advancing to the very capital of South- Carolina, hos 
been already related, together with the obslacies which 
prevented him from becoming master of it at that time. 

Toward the end of the year 1779, however, Sir 
Henry Clinton set sail from New-York, with a consi- 
derable body of troops, intended for the attack of Charles- 
ton, S. C. in a fleet of ships of war and transports, un- 
der the command of Vice Admiral Arbuthnot. They 
had a very tedious voyage ; the weather was uncom- 
monly bad ; several of the transports were lost, as were 
also the greater part of the horses w hich they carried 
with them, intended for cavalry or other public uses ; 
and an ordnance-ship likewise foundered at sea. 

Having arrived at Savannah, where they endeavoured 
to repair the damages sustained on their voyage, they 
proceeded from thence on the 10th of February, 1780, 
to ISorth-Edisto, the place of dehaikation which had 
been previously appointed. They iiad a favourable and 
speedy passage thither ; and though it requiied time 
to have the bar explored and the channel marked, the 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 137 

transports all entered the harbour the next day ; and 
the army took possession of St. John's island, about 
thirty miles from Charleston, without opposition. 

Preparations were then made for passing the squad- 
ron over Charleston bar, whese the high water sprin^,' 
tides were only nineteen feet deep : but no opportunity 
offered of going into the harbour till the 20th of March, 
when it was effected without any accident, though the 
American galleys continually attempted to prevent the 
Knglish boats from sounding the channel. The Brit- 
ish troops had previously removed from St. John's to 
St. James' island ; and on the 29th of the same month, 
llicy effected a landing on Charleston neck. On the 1st 
of April, they broke ground within eight hundred yards 
of the American works ; and by the 8th, the besieger-s" 
guns were mounted in battery. 

As soon as tne army began to erect their batteries 
against the town, Admiral Arbuthnot embraced the first 
favourable opportunity of passing Sullivan's island, upon 
which there was a strong fort of batteries, the chief 
defence of the harbour. He v.eighed on the 9th, with 
the Roebuck, Richmond, Romulus, Blonde, Virginia, 
Raleigh and Sandwich armed sliip, the Renown bring- 
ing up the rear : and, passing through a severe fire, 
anchored in about two hours under St. James' island, 
with the loss of seventy-two seamen, killed ami wounded. 

The Richmond's fore-top mast was shot away, and 
the ships in general sustained damage in their masts and 
rigging, though not materially in their hulls. But the 
Acetus transport, having on board some naval stores, 
grounded within gun shot of Sullivan's island, and re- 
ceived so much damage that she was obliged to be aban- 
doned and burnt. 

On the 10th, Sir TTenry Clinton and Admiral Ar- 
buthnot summoned the town to surrender to his majes- 
ty's arms : but Maj. Gen. Lincoln, who commanded ia 
Charleston, returned them an answer, declaring it to 
be his intention to defend the place. The batteries 
were now opened against the town ; and from thei/ ef- 
12* 



J 38 HISTORY Of fiii 

feet, the fire of the American advanced works consider- 
nbly abated. 

It appears that the number of troops under the com- 
mand of Gen. Lincoln were by far too few for defend- 
ing works of such extent as those of Charleston ; and 
that many of these were men little accustomed to mili- 
tary service, and very ill provided with clothes and 
other necessaries. Gen. Lincoln had been for some 
tirne expecting reinforcements and supplies from Vir- 
ginia, and other places ; but they came in v^ery slowly. 

Earl Cornwallis, and Lieut. Col. Tarleton under him, 
were also extremely active in interceptins^ such rein- 
forcements and supplies as were sent to the American 
general. They totally defeated a considerable body of 
•cavalry and militia which was proceeding to the relief 
of the town ; and also made themselves masters of some 
posts which gave tliem in a great degree the command 
of the country, by which means, great supplies of pro- 
visions fell into their hands. Tarleton was himself, 
however, defeated in a rencounter with Lieut. Col. 
Washington, at the head of a regular corps of horse. 

Such v/as the state of things, and Fort Sullivan had 
also been taken by the king's troops, when on the 12th 
of May, Gen. Clinton again summoned the town to 
surrender; an offer being made, as had been done before, 
that if they surrendered, the lives and property of the 
inhabitants should be preserved to them. Articles of 
capitulation were then proposed i)y Gen. Lincoln ; but 
the terms were not agreed to by Gen. Clinton. 

At length, however, the town being closely invested 
on all sides, and the preparations to storm it in every 
}xart being in great forwardness, and the ships ready to 
move to the assault. Gen. Lincoln, who had been ap- 
plied to for that purpose by the inhabitants, surrender- 
ed it on such articles of capitulation as Gen. Clinton had 
before agreed to. This was on the 12th of May, which 
was one month and two days after the town had been 
first summoned to surrender. 

A large quantity of ordnance, arms, and ammunition, 
was found in Charleston ; and, according to Sir Henry 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 139 

Clinton's account, the number of prisoners taken in 
Cliarleston amounted to five thousand six hundred and 
eighteen men, exclusive of near a thousand sailors in 
arms ; but, according to Gen. liincoln's account trans- 
mitted to the congress, the whole number of continental 
troops taken prisoners, amounted to no more than two 
thousand four hundred and eighty-seven. The remain- 
der, therefore) included in Gen. Clinton's account, must 
have consisted of militia and inhabitants of the town. 
Several American frigates were also taken or destroyed 
in the harbour of Charleston. 

The loss of Charleston evidently excited a consider- 
able alarm in America ; and the popular writers, par- 
ticularly the author of the celebrated performance en- 
titled " Common Sense," in some other pieces, made 
use of it as a powerful argument to lead them to more 
vigorous exertions against Great Britain, that tliey might 
the more etfectuaiiy and certainly secure their indepen- 
dence. 

While Sir Henry Clinton was employed in his voy- 
age to Charleston, and in the siege of that place, the 
garrison at INew-York seem not to have been wholly 
free from apprehensions for their own safety. An in- 
tense frost, accompanied with»great falls of snow, began 
about the middle of December, 1779, and shut up the 
navigation of the port of New- York, from the sea, within 
a few days after the departure of Admiral Arbuthnot and 
Gen. Clinton. 

The severity of the weather increased to so great a 
degree, that toward the middle of January, all commu- 
nications with New-York, by water, were entirely cut 
oft', and as m.any new ones opened by the ice. The in- 
habitants could scarcely be said to be in an insular state - 
Horses with heavy carriages could go over the ice into 
the Jerseys, from one island to another. 

The passage on the North river, even in the widest 
part, from New- York to Powles-Hook, which was two 
thousand yards, was, about the 19th of January, prao- 
ticable for the heaviest cannon ; an event which had 
been unknown in the memory of man. Provisions wer® 



140 HISTORY or THE 

soon after transported upon sledores, and a detachment 
of cavalry marcher! upon the ice from New- York to Sta- 
ten Island, wlvioh was a distance of eleven miles. 

The city of New- York, being thus circumstanced, 
was considered as nmch exposed to attacks from the 
American troops ; and it was stroni^ly reported that Gen. 
Washington was meditating a great stroke upon New- 
York with h's whole force, by different attacks. Some 
time brffore ihi.-^, Major Gen. Pattison, commandant at 
New- York, harinnc received an address from many of the 
inhabitants, o!fering to put themselves in military array, 
he thought tiie prc^sent a lavourable opportunity of trying 
the sincerity of their professions. 

Accord! 11^' V lie issued a proclamation, callinsr upon 
all the male inhabitants from the age of sixteen to sixty, 
to take up arms. The requisition was so readily com- 
plied with, that in a few days forty companies, from the 
six wards of the c'ty, were enrolled, officered, and un- 
der arms, to the runiber of two thousand six hundred, 
many substantial citizens serving in the ranks of each 
company. Other volunteer companies were formed ; 
and the city was put into a very strong posture of de- 
fence. 

No attack, however, was made upon New-York, 
whatever design m"aht originally have been meditated; 
but an attempt was made upon Staten Island, where 
there were about one thousand eiuht hundred men, un- 
der the command of Brig. Gen. Sterling, who were well 
entj-enched. Gen. Washinu-ton, whose army was hutted 
at Morristown, ^^ent a detachment of two thousand seven 
hundted men, with six pieces of catmon, two mortars, 
end some h >rses, commarded by Lord Sterling, who 
arrived at Staten l^^Iand early in the morning of the 15th 
of January. 

The advanced posts of the British troops retired upon 
the approach of the Americans, who formed the line, 
and made some movements in the course of the day ; 
but they withdrew in the night, after having burnt one 
bouse, pillaged some others, and carried off with them 
about two hundred head of cattle. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 14 } 

Immediately on the arrival of the Americans on Sta- 
ten Island, Lieut. Gen. Knyphausen had embarked six 
hundred men to attempt a passage and to support Gen. 
Sterling ; but the fioatin<» ice compelled them to return. 
It is, however, imagined, that the appearance of these 
transports, nith the British troops on board, which the 
Americans could see toward the close of the day, in- 
duced the latter to make so precipitate a retreat. 

After Chai'leston had surrendered to the British 
troops, Gen. Clinton issued proclamations, and also cir- 
culated a handbill among the inhabitants of South-Caro- 
lina, in order to induce them to return to their allegiance, 
and to be ready to join the king's troops. It was 
said, that the helping liand of every man was wanted, 
to re-establish peace and good government ; and that 
as the commander-in-chief wished not to draw tht2 
king's friends into danger, while any doubt could re- 
main of their success ; so now, that this was certain, 
he trusted that one and all w^ould heartily join, and by 
a general concurrence, give effect to such necessary 
measures for that purpose, as from time to time might 
be pointed out. 

Those who had families, were to form a militia to re- 
main at home, and occasionally to assemble in their 
own districts, when required, under officers of their own 
choosing, for the maintenance of peace and good order. 
Those who had no families, and who could conveniently 
be spared for a time, it wa?? presumed, would cheer- 
fully assist his majesty's troops in driving their oppress- 
ors, acting under the authority of congress, and all the 
miseries of war, far from that colony. 

For this purpose it was said to be necessary that the 
yqung men should be ready to assemble when required, 
and to serve with the king's troops for any six of 
the ensuing twelve months that might be found requisite, 
under proper regulations. They might choose officers 
to each company to command them; and were to bo 
allowed, when on service, pay, ammunition, and pro- 
visions, in the same manner as the king's troops. 

When they joined the army, each man was to be fur- 



112 HISTORY OF THE 

nished with a certificate, declaring that he was only en- 
gaged to serve as a militia-man for the time specified ; 
that he was not to be marched beyond North-Carolina 
and Georgia ; and that, when the time was out, he was | 
freed from all claims whatever of military service, ex- 1 
cepting the common and usual militia duty where he 
lived. He would then, it Avas said, have paid his debt 
to his country, and be entitled to eisjoy, undisturbed, t^iat 
peace, liberty, and property, at home, which he had c-n- 
U-ihuted to secure. 

The proclamations and publications of Gen. Clinton 
appeared to produce some effect in South-Carolini ; 
though they probably operated chiefiy upon those who 
were before not much inclined to the cause of Ameri- 
can independence. Two hundred and ten of the in- 
habitants of Charleston signed an address to Gen. Clin- 
ton and Admiral Arbuthnet, soliciting to be re-admitted 
to the character and condition of Brhish subjects, (the 
people of that city having been hiiherto considered as 
prisoners on parole,) declaring their disapprobation of 
the doctrine of American independence, and express, 
irsg theb' regret, that, after the repeal of those statutes 
which gave rise to the troubles in America, the over- 
tures made by his majesty's commissioners had not been 
regarded by the congress. 

Sir Henry Clinton, in one of the proclamations 
issued at this time, declared, that if any person or per- 
sons should thenceforward appear in arms, in order to 
prevent the establishment of his majesty's government 
in that colony, or should, under any pretence or au- 
thority whatsoever, attempt to compel any other per- 
son or persons to do so, or should hinder or intimidate 
any of the king's faithful and loyal subjects from join- 
ing his forces, or otherwise performing those duties 
their allegiance required, such person or persons should 
be treated with the utmost severity, and their estates be 
immediately seized in order to be confiscated. 

In the mean time the ravages of war did not prevent 
the Americans from paying some attention to the arta 
of peace. On the 4th of May, 17S0, an act was passed 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 143 

by the council and house of representatives of Mas- 
sachusetts-Bay, incorporating and establishing a society 
for the cultivation and promotion of the arts and sci- 
ences. 



CHAPTEH XXIII. 

Congress continue to meet in Philadelphia. — Resolution tcy 
erect a monument to Ihe memory of , Gen. Montg-omiry. 
— Depreciation ofcontinental currency. — Celebration (>f the 
4tbof July at Philadelphia. — M. Ternay arrives with a fleet 
and troops from France. — Unsuccessful eKpsdition to New- 
Jersey. — Defeat of the Americans, under Gen. Gates, in 
South Carolina. — Americans under General Sumpter de- 
feated. 

feOME doubts havini^ arisen in the congress, toward 
the close of the preceding year, about the propriety of 
their assembling in the city of Philadelphia, it was now 
resolved that they should continue to meet there ; and 
a committee of three members was appohited to report 
a suitable place, where buildings might be provided for 
the reception of the congress, together with an estimate 
of the expense of providing such bulUHngs, and the ne- 
cessary offices for the accommodation of the several 
boards. 

It was also resolved by the congress, that a monument 
should be erected to the memory of their late general, 
Richard Blontgomery, who fell at Quebec, in testimony 
of his signal and important services to the United States 
of America, with an inscription expi-essive of his amiable 
character and heroic achievements; and that the conti- 
nental treasurers should be directed to advance a sum 
not exceeding three hundred pounds, to Dr. Franklin, 
to defray the expense, that gentleman being desired to 
cause the monument to be executed at Paris, or in some 
other part of France. 

The congress likewise passed a resolution for es- 
tablishing a court for the trial of all appeals from the 
court of admiralty of the United States of America, ia 



^44 HISTORY OF THE 

cases of capture ; to consist of three judges, to be 
appointed and commissioned by congress, and who 
were to take an oatli of otfice ; and that the trials in 
this court should be determined by the usage of na- 
tions. 

The difficulties of the congress, and of the people 
«f America, had been greatly increased by tlie depre- 
ciation of their paper currency. At the time when the 
colonies engased in the war with Great Britain, they 
had no regular civil ufovernments established among 
them, of sufficient energy to enforce tiie c(j]lection 
of taxes, or to provide funds for the redemplio-n of 
8uch bills of credit as their necessities obliged liiem to 
issue. 

In consequence of this state of things, their bills in- 
creased in quantity, fvir beyond the sum necessary for 
the purpose of a circulating medium ; and, as they 
wanted, at the same time, speciiic funds to rest on for 
their redemption, they saw their paper currency dally 
sink in vidue. The dopreciallon continued, by a kind 
of gradual progression, from the year 1777 to 17S0 ; 
so that, at the latter period, the continental bills Avere 
passed, by common consent, in most parts of America, 
at a discount of about ninety per cent below their no- 
minal value. 

The impossibility of keeping up the credit of the cur- 
rency to any fixed standard, occasioned great and almost 
Insurmountable em!>arrassments in ascertaining the value 
of properly, or carrying on trade with any sufficient cer^ 
tainty. Those ^vho sold, and those who bought, were 
left without a rule by which to form a judgment of their 
profit or loss ; aiid every species of commerce or ex- 
change, wiiether foreign or (loine.stic, was exposed to 
aumberless and Incr; asing difficulties. 

The consequences of the depreciation of the paper 
currency were also felt with peculiar severity by such 
of the Americans as were engaged in the military ser- 
vice, and ureatly augmented their other hardships. 
The requisitions made by the congress, to the several 
•tet«8, for supplies, were also far from being always 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 145 

regularly complied with ; and the troops were not un- 
frequently in want of the most common necessarieg, 
which naturally occasioned complaints and discontent 
among them. Some of these difficulties, resulting 
from their circumstances and situation, perhaps no hu- 
man wisdom could have prevented ; but they seem to 
have arisen, in part, from the congress not being suffi- 
ciently acquainted with the principles of finance, and 
from a defect of system in the departments of their 
government. 

The cause of the Americans appears also to have 
suffered considerably from their depending too much on 
temporary enlistments. But the congress endeavoured, 
toward the close of the year 1780, to put their army 
upon a more permanent footing, and to give all the 
satisfaction to their officers and soldiers which their 
circumstances would permit. They appointed a com- 
mittee for arranging their finances, and made some new 
regulations respecting the war offxe and treasury board, 
and other public departments. 

Notwithstanding the disadvantages under which they 
laboured ; the Americans seemed to entertain no doubts 
but that they should be able to maintain their indepen- 
dence. The 4th of July was celebrated this year, at 
Philadelphia, with some pomp, as the anniversary of 
American independence. A commencement for con- 
ferring degrees in the arts was held the same day, in the 
hall of the university there ; at which the president 
and members of the congress attended, and other per- 
sons in public office. 

The Chevalier de la Luzerne, minister plenipoten- 
tiary from the French king to the United States, was 
also present on the occasion. A charge was publicly 
addressed by the provost of the university to the students, 
in which, he said, that he could not but congratulate 
them "on that auspicious day, which, amidst the con- 
fusions and desolations of war, beheld learning begin- 
ning to revive ; and animated them with the pleasing 
prospect of seeing the sacred lamp of science burning 
with a still brighter flame, and scattering its invigorating 
13 



146 HISTORY OF THE 

rays over the unexplored deserts of this extensive 
continent ; until the whole world should be involved in 
the united blaze of knowledge, liberty, and religion. 

*' When he stretched his views forward, (he said) and 
surveyed the rising glories of America, the enriching 
consequences of their determined struggle for liberty, 
the extensive fields of intellectual improvement and 
useful invention, in science and arts, in agriculture and 
commerce, in religion and government, through which 
ihe unfettered mind would range, with increasing de- 
light, in quest of the undiscovered treasure, which yet 
lay concealed in the animal, vegetable, and mineral 
kingdoms of the new world, or in the other fertile 
sources of knowledge with which it abounded — his 
heart swelled with the pleasing prospect, that the sons 
of that institution would distinguish themselves, in the 
different walks of life, by their literary contributions 
to the embellishments and increase of human happi- 
ness." 

On the 10th 'of July, M. Ternay, with a fleet of 
seven ships of the line and several frigates, and a large 
body of French troops, commanded by the Count de 
Rochambeau, arrived at Rhode-Island ; and on the 
following day six thousand men were landed there. A 
committee from the general assembly of Rhode-Island 
was appointed to wait upon the French general, and 
congratulate him on his arrival ; whereupon he re- 
turned an answer, in which he informed them that the 
king his master had sent him to the assistance of his 
good and faithful aUies, the United States of America. 
At present, he said, he only brought the vanguard of a 
much greater force destined for their aid ; and the king 
of France had ordered him to assure the people of 
America, that his whole power should be exerted for 
their support. He added, that the French troops were 
under the strictest discipline ; and, acting under the 
orders of Gen. Washington, they would live with the 
Americans as their brethren. 

A scheme was soon after formed, by Sir Henry 
Clinton and Admiral Arbuthnot, of making a combined 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 147 

attack against the French fleet and troops at Rhode- 
Island. Accordingly, a considerable part of the troops 
at New- York were embarked for that purpose. Gen. 
Washington, having received information of this, passed 
the North river, by a very rapid movement, and, with 
an army of twelve thousand men, proceeded with celerity 
toward King's Bridge, in order to attack New-York ; 
but learning that the British general had changed his 
intention and disembarked his troops, General Washing- 
Ion re-crossed the river, and returned to his former 
station ; and Gen. Clinton and the admiral relinquished 
their intended attack on Rhode-Island, as Impracticable 
for the present. 

An unsuccessful attempt was likewise made about 
this time, in the Jerseys, by Gen. Knyphausen. With 
seven thousand British troops under his command, he 
undertook to surprise the advanced posts of Gen. Wash- 
ington's army. For this purpose he proceeded very 
rapidly toward Springfield, meeting but little opposition 
till he came to the bridge at that place, which was 
gallantly defended against his army, by a small party 
of Americans, not exceeding one hundred and seventy ; 
but the latter were obliged to give up so unequal a con- 
test, after losing thirty-seven men. 

After accuring this pass, the British troops marched 
into the town, and set fire to most of the houses. They 
also committed some other depredations in the Jerseys, 
but gained no laurels there, being obliged to return, 
about the middle of July, without effecting any thing 
material. 

In South-Carolina the royal arms met with more 
success. Earl Cornwallis, who commanded the British 
troops there, obtained a signal victory over Gen. Gates, 
on the 16th of August. The action began at break of 
day, in a situation very advantageous for the British 
troops, but very unfavourable to the Americans. The 
latter were much more numerous ; but the ground on 
which both armies stood was narrowed by swamps on 
the right and left, so that tlie Americans could not avail 
ttiemselves properly of their superior numbers. 



148 HISTORY or THE 

There seems to have been some want of generalship 
on the part of Gates, in suffering himself to be surprised 
in so disadvantageous a position. But this circumstance 
was the effect of accident ; for both armies set out with 
u design of attacking each other, precisely at the same 
time, at ten o'clock the preceding evening, and met 
together before day-light, at the place where the action 
happened. 

The attack was made by the British troops, with 
great vigour, and in a few minutes the action was gene- 
ral along the whole line. It was at this time a dead 
calm, with a little haziness in the air, which prevented 
the smoke from arising, and occasioned so thick a dark- 
ness that it was difficult to see the effect of a heavy 
and well-supported fire on both sides. The British 
troops either kept up a constant fire, or made use of 
bayonets, as opportunities offered ; and after an obsti- 
nate resistance of three quarters of an hour, threw the 
Americans into total confusion, and forced them to give 
way in all quarters. 

The continental troops behaved remarkably well, but 
the militia were soon broken, leaving the former to 
oppose the whole force of the British troops. Gen. 
Gates did all in his power to rally the militia, but with- 
out effect : the continentals retreated in some order 5 
but the rout of the militia v/as so great, that the British 
cavalry continued the p;irsuit of them to the distance of 
twenty-two miles from the place of action. 

The loss of the Americans, on this occasion, was 
very considerable ; about one thousand prisoners were 
taken, and more than that number were said to have 
been killed and wounded, although the number was not 
very accurately ascertained. Seven pieces of brass 
cannon, various stands of colours, and all the ammuni- 
tion wagons of the Americans, fell into the hands of 
the enemy. Among the prisoners taken, was Major- 
general the Baron de Kalb, a Prussian officer in the 
American service, who was mortally wounded, after 
exhibiting great gallantry in the course of the action, 
having received eleven wounds. Of the British troops, 



AMMlCAN REVOLUTION. 149 

the number of killed and wounded amounted to two 
hundred and thirteen. 

Lieut. Col. Tarleton, who had greatly distinguished 
himself in this action, was detached on the following 
day, with a body of cavalry and light infantry, amount- 
ing to about three hundred and fifty men, to attadc a 
corps of Americans under Gen. Sumpter. He executed 
this service with great activity and military address. 
Having procured good information of Sumpter's move- 
ments, by forced and concealed marches, he came up 
with and surprised him in the middle of the day, near 
Catawba fords, and totally destroyed or dispersed his 
detachment, which consisted of seven hundred men, kill- 
ing one hundred and fifty, and taking about three hun- 
dred prisoners, together v/ith two pieces of brass can- 
non, and forty-four wagons. 



CHAPTER XXiy. 

Treacnery of Gen. Arnold, who joins the British army. — Ma- 
'or Andre taken and executed as a spy. — Defeat of the Bri- 
tish and tories under Major Ferg-uson. — Gen. Sumpter again 
defeated. — Mr. Laurens taken and confined in London, on 
a charge of high treason. — Disturbance among the Penn- 
sylvania troops. — Defeat of the British under Col. Tarleton. 

IN OT long after these events, means were found to se- 
duce Major Gen. Arnold, who had engaged so ardently 
in the cause of America, and who had exhibited so much 
bravery, on various occasions, from the interests of the 
congress. Major Andre, adjutant-general to the British 
army, was a principal agent in this transaction ; or, if 
the overture of joining the king's troops came first from 
Arnold, this gentleman was the person employed to con- 
cert the affair with him. 

More must have been originally comprehended in the 
scheme, than the mere desertion of the American cause 
by Arnold , the surrender of West-Point into the hands 
of the British army, was the probable object ; but what- 
ever designs had been formed for promoting the views 
13* 



150 HISTORY OF THE 

of the British government, they were frustrated by the 
apprehending of Major Andre. He was taken in dis- 
guise, after having assumed a false name, on the 23rd 
of September, by three American soldiers, to whom he 
offered considerable rewards to induce them to suffei*" 
him to escape, but without effect. Several papers writ- 
ten by Arnold were found upon him; and when Arnold 
had learned that Andre was seized, he found means to 
get on board a barge, and to escape to one of the king's 
ships. 

Gen. Washington referred the case of Major Andre 
to the examination and decision of a board of general 
officers, consisting of Major Gen. Green, Major Gen. 
Lord Sterling, Major Gen. the Marquis de la Fayette, 
Major Gen. the Baron de Steuben, two other major- 
generals, and eight brigadier-generals. Major Andre 
was examined before them, and the particulars of his 
case inquired into ; and they reported to the American 
commander-in-chief, that Major Andre came on shore 
from the Vulture sloop of war in the night, on an inter- 
view with Gen. Arnold, in a private and secret manner ; 
that he changed his dress witiiin the American lines ; 
and, under a feigned name, and in a disguised habit, 
passed the American works at Stony and Yerplank's 
Points, on the evening of the 22d of September ; that 
he was taken on the morning of the 23d, at Tarrytown, 
he being then on his way for New York ; and that, 
when taken, he had in his possession several papers 
which contained intelligence for the enemy. — They 
therefore determined, that he ought to be considered as 
a spy from the enemy ; and that, agreeable to the law 
and usage of nations, he ought to suffer death. 

Sir Henry Clinton, Lieut. Gen. Robertson, and the 
late American Gen. Arnold, all wrote pressing letters 
to Gen. Washington on the occasion, in order to pre- 
vent the decision of the board of general officers from 
being put in force ; but their applications were ineffec- 
tual. Major Andre was hanged at Tappan, in the state 
of New-York, on the 2d of October, 1780. He met his 
fate with great firmness ; but appeared somewhat hurt 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 151 

that he was not allowed a more military death, for 
\^hich he had solicited. 

l\Iajor Andre was a gentleman of very amiable quali- 
ties, had a taste for literature and the fine arts, and pos- 
sessed many accomplishments. His death, therefore, 
was regretted even by his enemies ; and the seeming 
severity of the determination concerning him, was much 
exclaimed against in Great Britain. It was, however, 
generally acknowledged by impartial persons, that there 
was nothing in the execution of this unfortunate gen- 
tleman but what was perfectly consonant to the rules 
of war. 

Arnold was made a brigadier-general in the king's 
sei'vice, and published an address to the inhabitants of 
America, dated at New- York, October 7th, in which he 
endeavoured to justify his desertion of their cause. He 
said, that when he first engaged in it, he conceived the 
right of his country to be in danger, and that duty and 
honour called him to her defence. A redress of griev- 
ances was his only aim and object ; and therefore he ac- 
quiesced unwillingly in the declaration of independence, 
because he thought it precipitate. But, what now in- 
duced him to desert their cause, was the disgust he had 
conceived at the French alliance, and at the refusal of 
congress to comply with the last terms offered by Great 
Britain, which he thought equal to all their expectations, 
and to all their wishes. 

The Americans, however, accounted for the conduct 
of Arnold, in a different and in a more probable and sa- 
tisfactory manner. They alleged that he had so involved 
himself in debts and difficulties by his extravagant man- 
ner of living in America, that he had rendered it very 
inconvenient for him to continue there ; that after the 
evacuation of Philadelphia by the British troops, Arnold, 
being invested with the command in that city, had made 
the house of Mr. Penn, which was the best in the city, 
His head quarters. This he had furnished in an elegant 
and expensive manner, and lived in a style far beyond 
his income. 

It wa3 manifest, they said, that he could at first have 



152 HISTORY OF THE 

no great aversion to the French alliance, because that 
when M. Gerard, minister plenipotentiary from the 
court of France, arrived at Philadelphia, in July, 1778, 
Gen. Arnold early and earnestly solicited that minister, 
with his whole suite, to take apartments and bed and 
board at his house, until a proper house could be provi- 
ded by order of congress. This offer M. Gerard ac- 
cepted, and continued with him some weeks. 

The French minister resided upwards of fourteen 
months in Philadelphia ; during which time Gen. Ar- 
nold kept up a most friendly and intimate acquaintance 
■with him, and there was a continual interchange of din- 
ners, balls, routes, and concerts ; so that M. Gerard 
must have believed, that in Gen. Arnold he had found 
and left one of the warmest friends the court of France 
had in America. He was also one of the first in con- 
gratulating the Chevalier de la Luzerne, the second 
French minister. 

About this time, complaints and accusations were ex- 
hibited against him by the government of Philadelphia, 
for divers malepractices ; among which charges were, 
the appropriation of goods and merchandise to his own 
use, which he had seized as British property in Phila-r 
delphia, in July, 1778. It was determined by a court 
martial, that his v?onduct was highly reprehensible ; but 
he was indulgently treated, and was therefore only re- 
primanded by the commander in-chief. Gen. Washing- 
ton. It was in these circumstances, the Americans said, 
bankrupted in reputation and fortune, loaded with debts, 
and having a growing and expensive family, that Gen. 
Arnold first turned his thoughts toward joining the 
royal arms. 

After the defeat of Gen. Gates by Earl Cornwallig, 
that nobleman exerted himself to the utmost in extend- 
ing the progress of the British arms, and with consider- 
able effect. But one enterprise, which was conducted 
by Major Ferguson, proved unsuccessful. That officer 
had taken abundant pains to discipline some of the tory 
militia, as they were termed ; and with a party of these, 
and some British troops, amounting in the whole to 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 153 

«ibout fourteen hundred men, made incursions into the 
country. But on the 7th of October, he was attacked 
by a superior body of Americans, at a place called 
Kings' Mountain, and totally defeated. One hundred 
and fifty were killed in the action, and eight hundred 
and ten made prisoners, of whom one hundred and fifty 
were wounded. Fifteen hundred stands of arms fell 
into the hands of the Americans, whose loss was in- 
considerable. 

But Lae following month Lieut. Col. Tarleton, with 
a party of one hundred and seventy, chiefly cavalry, 
attacked Gen. Sumpter, who is said to have had one 
thousand men, at a place called Black-Stocks, ajid 
obliged him to retire. Sumpter was wounded, and 
about one hundred and twenty of the Americans killed, 
wounded, or taken. Of the British troops, about fifty 
were killed and grounded. 

On the 3d of September, the Mercury, a congress 
packet, was taken by the Vestal, Capt. Keppel, near 
Newfoundland. On board of this packet was Mr. Lau- 
rens, late president of the congress, who was bound on 
an embassy to Holland. He had thrown his papers 
overboard, but a great part of them were recovered, 
without having received much damage. He ^vas car- 
ried to London, and examined before the privy coun- 
cil ; in consequence of whicli, he was committed close 
prisoner to the Tower, on a charge of high treason. — 
His papers were delivered to the ministry, and contri- 
buted to facilitate a rupture with Holland, as among 
^ them was found the sketch of a treaty of amity and 
commerce between the republic of Holland and tiie 
United States of America. 

In the beginning of the year 1781, an affair happened 
in America, from which expectations were formed by 
Sir Henry Clinton, that some considerable advantage 
might be derived to the royal cause. The long coiv 
tinuance of the war, and the difficulties under which 
the congress laboured, had prevented their troops from 
being properly supplied with necessaries and conve- 
liieiices. In consequence of this, on the 1st of January, 



154 HISTORY OF THE 

the American troops that were hutted at Morristown, 
and who formed what was called the Pennsylvania line, 
turned out, being in number thirteen hundred, and de- 
clared, that they would serve no longer, unless their 
grievances were redressed, as they had not received 
their pay, or been furnished with the necessary cloth- 
ing or provisions. 

It is said, that they were somewhat inflamed with 
lifl[uor, in consequence of rum having been distributed 
to them more liberally than usual — new-year's day be- 
ing considered as a kind of festival. A riot ensued, in 
which an officer was killed, and four ^vounded ; five or 
six of the insurgents were also wounded. They then 
collected the artillery, stores, provisions, and wagons, 
and marched out of the camp. 

They marched by the quarters of Gen. Wayne, who 
sent a message to them, requesting them to desist, or the 
consequences would prove fatal. They refused, and 
proceeded on their march till the evening, when they 
iookpost on an advantageous piece of ground, and elected 
officers from among themselves. On the 2d, they 
marched to Middlebrook, and on the 3d to Princeton, 
where they fixed their quarters. 

On that day a flag of truce was sent to them from the 
officers of the American camp, with a message, desir- 
ing to know what were their intentions. Some of them 
answered, that they had already served longer than the 
time for which they were enlisted, and would serve no 
longer ; and others, that they would not return, unless 
their grievances were redressed. But at the same time 
they repeatedly, and in the strongest terms, denied 
being influenced by the least disaffection to the Ameri- 
can cause, or having any intention of deserting to the 
enemy. 

Intelligence of this transaction was soon conveyed to 
New-York. A large body of English troops were im- 
mediately ordered to hold themselves in readiness to 
move on the shortest notice, it being hoped that the 
American revolters might be induced to join the royal 
army. Messengers were also sent to them from Gen. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 155 

Clinton, acquainting them that they should directly be 
taken under the protection of the British government ; 
that they should have a free pardon for all former 
oH'ences ; and that the pay due to them from the con- 
gress, should be faithfully paid them, without any ex- 
pectation of military service, unless it should be volun- 
tary, upon condition of their laying down their arms, 
and returning to their allegiance. It was also recom- 
mended to them to move beyond the South river ; and 
they were assured, that a body of British troops should 
be ready to protect them whenever they desired it. 

These propositions were rejected with disdain ; and 
they even delivered up two of Sir Henry Clinton's mes- 
sengers to the congress. Joseph Reid, Esq. president, 
of the state of Pennsylvania, afterwards repaired to 
them at Princeton, and an accommodation took place. 
Such of them as had served out their full terms, were 
permitted to return to their homes ; and the others 
again joined the American army, upon receiving satisfac- 
tory assurances that their grievances should be redressed. 

Lord Cornwallis now began to make very vigorous 
exertions, in order to penetrate into North-Carolina. 
On the 1 1th of January his lordship's army was in mo- 
tion, and advancing toward that state ; but was some- 
what delayed by an attempt made by the Americans, 
under Gen. Morgan, to make themselves masters of 
the valuable district of Ninety-six. 

In order to prevent this. Lord Cornwallis detached 
liieut. Col. Tarleton, with three hundred cavalry, three 
hundred light infantry, the seventh regiment, the first 
battalion of the seventy-first regiment, and two three- 
pounders, to oppose the progress of Morgan, not doubt- 
ing that he wotdd be able to perform this service effect- 
ually. The British troops came up with the Americans 
under Gen. Morgan on the 17th of January. 

The Americans, two thirds of whom were militia, 
were drawn up in an open wood, at a place called the 
Cowpens, near Pacolet river. The British, besides 
their field pieces, had the advantage of five to four ia 
infantry, and of more than three to one in cavalry. 



156 HISTORY OF THE 

The attack was begun by the first line of infantry, 
consisting of the seventh regiment, and a corps of light 
infantry, with a troop of cavalry placed on each flank. 
The first battalion of the seventy-first, and the remain- 
der of the cavalry, formed the reserve. 

The American line soon gave way, and their militia 
quitted the field ; upon which the royal troops, suppos- 
ing the victory already gained, engaged with ardour in 
the pursuit, and were thereby thrown into some dis- 
order. Gen. Morgan's corps, who were supposed to 
have been routed, then immediately faced about, and 
tisrew in a heavy fire upon the king's troops, which 
occasioned the utmost confusion among them ; and they 
were at length totally defeated by the Americans. 

Four hundred of the British infantry were either 
killed, wounded, or taken prisoners ; the loss of the 
cavalry was much less considerable ; but the two three- 
pounders fell into the hands of the Americans, together 
with the colours of the seventh regiment ; and all the 
detachment of royal artillery were either killed or 
wounded in defence of their colours. 

Lieut. Col. Tarleton then retreated to Hamilton's 
ford, near the mouth of Bullock's creek, carrying with 
him part of his baggage, and destroying the remainder. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

Lord Cornwallis crosses North-Carolina, and erects the kind's 
standard at Flillsborough. — Tories defeated by the Ameri- 
cans. — British under Gen. Arnold destroy stores, &c. at 
Richmond. — Cannon foundry at Westham destroyed. — 
British enter Wilmington. — Battle between the British un- 
der Lord Cornwallis and Americans under Gen. Greene, 
in which the latter is defeated. — Gen. Greene again de- 
feated by Lord Rawdon. — Destruction of stores, &g. in 
various parts of Virginia. 

X HE defeat of the troops under Lieut. Col. Tarleton 
was a severe stroke to. Lord Cornwallis, as the loss of 
his light infantry was a great disadvantage to him. The 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 15T 

day after the event, he employed in collecting t e r»- 
mains of Tarleton's corps, and in endeavouring to form 
a junction with Gen. Leslie, who had been ordered to 
march toward him with a body of British troops from 
Wynnesburgh. Considerable exertions were then madti 
by part of the army, without baggage, to retake thetpri- 
Koners in the hands of the Americans, and to intercept 
Gen, Morgan's corps, on its retreat to the Catawba. 

But that American officer, afier his defeat of Tarlo- 
ton, had made forced marches up into the country, and 
crossed the Catawba the evening belore a great rain^ 
which swelled the liver to such a degree, as to prevent 
the British aimy iVom crossing for several days ; during 
which time the British prisoners were got over th© 
Yadkin ; whence they pi'oceeded to Dan river, which 
they also passed, and, on the 14lh of February, had 
reached Court-house, in the state of Virginia. 

Lord Cornwaliis employed a halt of two days in col- 
lecting some flour, and in destroying superfluous baj{~ 
gage, and all his wagons, excepting thoL-ie laden with 
hospital stores, salt, and ammunition, and four reserved 
empty, in readiness for sick or wounded. Being thus 
freed from all unnecessary incumbrances, he marchess 
through North Carolina with great rapidity, and pene- 
trated to the remotest extremities of tliat state, on the 
banks of the Dan. His progress was sometimes im- 
peded by parties of the mililia, and some skirmishes en- 
sued, but he met with no very considerable opposition 

On the first of Febi'uary, the British troops crossed 
the Catawba at M'Cowan's Ford, where Gen. David- 
son with a party of American militia, was posted, in order 
to oppose their passage; but he falling by the fii*3t dis- 
charge, the royal troops made good their landing, and 
the militia retreated. When Ijord Cornwaliis arrived at 
Hillsborough, he erected the king's standard, and in- 
vited, by proclamation, all loyal subjects to repair to it, 
and to stand forth and take an active part in assisting hia 
lordship to restore order and government. 

He had been taught to believe that the king's fflenda 
14 



158 HISTORY OF THE 

were numvTous in that part of the country : «t the 
erent dlil not confirm the truth of the representations 
ti)at had been given, 'i'he royalists were hut few in 
number, and some of them too timid to join the king's 
standard. 'i'iiere were, indeed, about two hundred, 
v%ho were proceeding to lliiisboroiigh, under Col. Pyie, 
in oj(i«M' to avow their attaclmient to the royal cause ; 
but tlicy were met accidentuily, and surrounded by a 
detachment of (lie American army, by whom a numli^r 
oi" {!iem are said to liave beerj killed when they were 
begofng for quai'ter.-;, without nrakiugthe least resistance. 

Meanwhile Gen. Greene was marcliing with great 
exped'tion, \vilh tiie troops under his comuiand, in order 
to i'orm a junction with other corps of American troops, 
that lie might thereby be eniibled to put some effectual 
sto}» to the progress of Lord Cornwallis. 

In other places, some considerable advantages were 
obtained by the royal arms. On the 4111 of January, 
«ome 5-hips of war, witii a number of transports, on 
board of which was a large body of troops, under the 
conuiv.ii.d of Brig. Gea. Arnold, arrived at Weslover, 
about one hursdred and forty miles from the Capes of 
\irainia, where the troops immediately landed, and 
inarc'ied to Kichmond : which they re:)ched without 
opposition, the militia that was collected having retreat- 
ed on their approach. 

liieut. Col. Simcoe marched from hence, with a de- 
tachment of British troops, to Westliam, where they 
destroyed one of the finest foundries for cannon in 
.\merica, and a large quantity of stores and cannon. — 
den. Arnold, on his arrival at Richmond, found there 
large quantities of salt, rum, sail-cloth, and tobacco, the 
la^-Jt of which he destroyed to a very great amount. 
The British troops afterwards attacked and dispersed 
*«cme small parties of the Americans, took some stores 
send a (e\v pieces of cannon, and on the 20th of Januaiy 
giiarched into Portsmouth. 

On the 25th, Capt. Barclay, with several ships of 
"^ar, and a bodv of troops under the command of Maj. 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 159 

Craig, arrived in Cape Fear river. The troops landed 
about nine miles IVom VVihninu:ton, and on the 28th en- 
tered that town. It was understood that their having 
possession of that town, and being masters of Cape Fear 
river, would be productive of very beneficial eifects to 
Lord Cornwallis' army. 

Gen. Greene, having e fleeted a junction about the 10th 
of March, with a continental regiment of what were 
called eighteen months men, and two large bodies of 
militia, belonging to Virginia and North-Carolina, formed 
a resolution to attack the British troops under the com- 
mand of Lord Cornwallis. The American army marched 
from High Rock Ford on the 12th of the month, and on 
the 14th arrived at Guilford. 

Lord Cornwallis, from the information he had re- 
ceived of the motions of the American general, con- 
cluded what were his designs. As they approached mor« 
nearly to each other, a few skirmishes ensued between 
some advanced parties, in which the advantage was 
sometimes gained by the Americans, and sometimes by 
the British. 

On the morning of the 15th, Lord Cornv/allis marched 
with his troops at day-break, in order to meet the Ame- 
ricans, or to attack tliem in their encampment. — About 
foul mlle3 from Guilford, the advanced guard of the Bri- 
tish army, commanded by Lieut. Col. Tarleton, fell in 
with a corps of the Americans, consisting of iiieut. Col. 
Lee's legion, some Back Mountain men, and Virginia 
militia, with whom he had a severe skirmish, and was at 
length obliged to retreat. 

The greater part of the country in which the action 
happened was a wilderness, with a i'ew cleared fields 
interspersed. The American army was posted on a ri- 
sing ground, about a mile and a half from Guilford Court- 
house. It was drawn up in three lines ; the front line 
was composed of the North-Carolina m.ilitia, under the 
command of Generals Butler and Eaton ; the second 
line, of Virginia militia, commanded by Generals Ste- 
vens and Lawson, forming two brigades ; the third line, 
consisting of two brigades, one of Virginia, and one of 



1^ HISTORY OF THE 

Maryland continental troops, commanded by General 
Huger and Col. Williams. 

Lieut. Col. Washington, with the dragoons of the first 
and third regiments, a detachment of light infantry, 
composed of contineiital troops, and a regiment of rifle- 
men under Col. Lynch, formed a corps of observation 
for the security of their right flank. Lieut. Col. Lee, 
with his legion, a detachment of light infantry, and a 
corps of riflemen under Col. Campbell, formed a corps 
of observation for the security of their left flank. 

The attack of the American army was directed by 
Lord Cornwallis, to be made in the following order :— 
On the right, the regiment of Bose, and the seventy-first 
regiment, led by Major Gen. Leslie, and supported by 
the first battal'on of guards ; on the left, the twenty-third 
and thirty-third regiments, led by Lieut. Col. Webster, 
and supported by the grenadiers and second battalion of 

fuards commanded by Brigadier Gen. O'Hara ; the 
agers and light infantry of the guards, remained in a 
wood on the left of the guns, and the cavalry in the road, 
»eady to act as circumstances might require. 

About half an hour alter one in the afternoon, the 
action commenced by a cannonade, which lasted about 
twenty minutes ; when the British troops advanced in 
three columns, and attacked the North-Carolina brig- 
ades with great vigour, and soon obliged a part of these 
troops to quit the field ; but the Virginia militia gave 
them a warm reception, and kept up a heavy fire for a 
long time, till, being beaten back, the action became ge- 
neral almost every where. The American corps undei 
Colonels W^ashington and Lee, were also warmly en 
gaged, and did considerable execution. 

Lieut. Col. Tarleton had directions to keep his ca- 
valry compact, and not to charge without positive or- 
ders, excepting to protect any of the corps from the 
most evident danger of being defeated. The excessive 
thickness of the woods rendered the British bayonets of 
little use, and enabled the broken corps of the Ameri- 
cans to make frequent stands with an irregular fire. 

The second battalion of the guards first gained the 



AMERICAN REVOLUTIOIC. 161 

clear ground near Guilford court-house, and found a 
corps of continental infantry, superior in number, form- 
ed in an open field near the road. Desirous of signal- 
izing themselves, they immediately attacked and soon 
defeated them, taking two six-pounders ; but as they 
pursued the Americans into the woods with too much 
ardour, they were thrown into confusion by a heavy 
fire, and instantly charged and driven back into the 
field by Lieut. Col. Washington's dragoons, with the 
loss of the two six-pounders they had taken. But the 
American cavalry were afterwards repulsed, and the 
two six-pounders again fell into the hands of the British 
troops. 

The British troops, having at length broken the se- 
cond Maryland regiment, and turned the left flank of 
the Americans, got into the rear of the Virginia brig- 
ade, and appeared to be gaining their right, which 
would have encircled the whole of the continental 
troops, when Gen. Greene thought it prudent to order 
a retreat. 

Many of the American militia dispersed in the woods, 
but the continental troops retreated in ^ood order, to 
Reedy Fork river, and crossed at the ford about three 
miles from the field of action, and there halted. When 
they had collected their stragglers, they retreated to the 
ironworks, ten miles distant from Guilford, where they 
encamped. They lost their artillery, and two wagons 
laden with ammunition. 

It was a hard fought action, and lasted an hour and a 
half. Of the British troops, the loss, as stated by Lord 
Cornwallls, was five hundred and thirty-two killed, 
wounded, and missing. General Greene, in his account 
of the action transmitted to the congress, stated the loss 
of the continental troops, to amount to three hundred 
and twenty-nine killed, wounded, and missing ; but he 
made no estimate of the loss of the militia, which was 
somewhat more than one hundred. 

Lieut. Col. Stuart was killed in the action ; and Lieut. 
Colonel Webster, and Captains Schutz, Maynard, and 
Goodrich, died of the wounds that they had received 
14 * 



1^5 HiStORY OF THg 

ixi it. Brier. Gen. O'Hara, Brii^. Gen. Howard, and 
Lieut. Col. Tarleton, were also woun;led. Of the Ame- 
ricans, t!>e principal officer killed was Major Anderson, 
of the Maryland line, and Generals Stevens and Iluger 
were wou sided. 

The British troops underwent great hardships in the 
course of this campaiixn ; and in a letter of Lord Corn- 
wallis to Lord George Germaine, dated P»Iarch 17th, he 
observed, that " the soldiers had heen three days with- 
out bread." His lordship quitted Guilford three days 
after the battle which was fought in that place ; and on 
the 7th of April, after a retreat marked wilii proofs of 
^reat alarm and precipitalioii, arrived in the neighbour- 
hood of Wilminyton. 

Soon aft;er, (»en. Greene, notu-ithstandlnf; his late de- 
feat, endeavoured to make some viuorous attempts 
^jj^ainst the kin^j's forces in Soiith-Carolina. Lord 
Rawdon had been appointed to (h^fend the post of Cam- 
den, with about eight hundred I^riiish and provincials; 
ftnd on the iOth of April Gen. Greene appeared before 
that place, with a large body of coatineniaJs and militia. 
He found it, hoxvever, imposs;!)!e to attempt to storm 
ilie tov;n with any prospect of success ; and therefore 
endeavoured to take such a positiorj as should induce the 
British troops to sally from their works. 

He posted the Americans about a mile from the town, 
on an eminence which was covered with wood, and 
idanked cii the left by an impassable swamp. But on 
t)je morning of the 25th, Lord Rawdon marched out of 
Camden, and attacked Gen. Greene in his camp.—- 
The Anii-ricans made a vigorous resistance, but were at 
length compelled to give way; and the pursuit is said to 
have been continued three miles. 

For some time after tliC action commenced, General 
Greene entertained great hopes of defeating the Brit- 
ish troops ; in which, as the Americans were superior 
hi point of numbers, he would probably have succeed- 
ed, had not some capital military errors been commit- 
ted by one or two of the officers who served under 
hixsa. On the American side, Col. Washington had be* 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 168 

fiaved extremely well in this action, having made up- 
wards of two hundred of the English prisoners, with 
ten or twelve officers, before he perceived that the 
Americans were abandonin«r the field of battle. 

The loss of the Knglish was about one hundred killed 
and woundfd. Upwards of one hundred Americanu 
were taken prisoners ; and, according to the account 
published by Gen. Greene, they had one hundred and 
twenty-six killed and wounded. After this action. Gen. 
Greene retreated to Rugeley's mills, twelve miles from 
Camden, in order to collect his troops and wait for 
reinibi'cenients. 

NotwlthslaiUiing the advantage which Lord Rawdoft 
had obtained ()v«m' Gen. Greene at CAmden, that noble- 
man soon after found it necessary, havin:^ burned the 
jail, mills, many private houses, and a part of his owa 
qaggage, to (juit that post ; and the Americans made 
themselves masters of several other po^ts that were oc- 
cupied by the king's troops, and the garrisons of which 
were obliged to surrender themselves prisoners o/ war. 
1'hese troops were afterwards exchanged jmdera cartel 
which took place between Lord Cornwallls and Gen, 
Greene, for the release of all prisoners of v/ar in the 
southern district. 

After these events, Gen. Greene laid close siege to 
Ninety-six, whlcti was considered as the most com- 
manding and important of all the posts in the back 
country; and Oii the 19th of June he attempted to 
storm the garrison, but was repulsed by th^ gallantry of 
the Britisli troops, with the loss of about one hundred 
and fifty killed, wounded and missing. Gen. Greene 
then raised the siege, and retired with his army behind 
the Saluda, to a strong situation, within sixteen mile* 
of Ninety-six. 

On the 18th of April, a large body of British troops, 
tinder the command of Maj. Gen. Philips and Brig. 
Gen. Arnold, embarked at Portsmouth, in Virginia, ia 
order to proceed on an expedition for the purpose of 
destroying some of the American stores. A party of 
light iafantry were seut ten or twelve miles up th« 



1*64 HISTORY OF THE 

Chic a omany ; where they destroyed several armed 
ships, sundry ware-houses, and the American state ship 
yards. At Petersburgh, the English destroyed four 
thousand hogsheads of tobacco, one ship, and a number 
of small vessels on the stocks and in the river. 

At Chesterfield court-house, they burnt a range of 
barracks for two thousand men, and three hundred 
barrels of flour. At a place called Osborn's, they made 
themselves masters of several vessels loaded with cord- 
age and flour, and destroyed about two thousand hogs- 
heads of tobacco, and sundry vessels were sunk and 
burnt. 

At Warwick, they burnt a magazine of five hundred 
barrels of flour, some fine mills belonging to Col. Carey, 
a lar^e range of public rope walks and store houses, tan 
and bark houses full of hides and bark, and great quan- 
tities of tobacco. A like destruction of stores and goods 
was made in other parts of Virginia. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 

Action between the French and Eng-lish fleets, off the Capes 
of Virginia. — Americans defeated by Lieut. Col. Simcoe. — 
Action near the Green Springs. — Action at Eutaw Springs. 
— New-London, Conn, burnt by the British. — Fort Gris" 
wold taken. — Gen. Washington marches toward Virginia. 
— Lord Cornwallis takes post at Yorktown and Gloucester. 

X* ROM the account already given of some of the prin- 
cipal military operations of the present year, it appears, 
that though advantages had been gained by the royal 
troops, yet no event had taken place, from which it 
could rationally be expected that the final termination 
of the war would be favourable to Great Britain. It 
was also a disadvantage to the British, that there was a 
misunderstanding between Admiral Arbuthnot and Sir 
Henry Clinton, and a mutual disapprobation of each 
other's conduct. This was manifest from their des- 
patches to government, and especially from those of 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. IGvS 

Oen. Clinton, whose expressions respecting the con- 
duct of the Admiral, were by no means equivocal. 

On the 16th of March, 1781, a partial action hap- 
pened off the Capes of Virginia, between the fleet under 
Admiral Arbuthnot, consisting of seven ships of the line, 
and one fifty gun ship, and a French squadron, consist- 
ing of the same number of sliips of the line, and one 
forty gun ship. Some of the ships in both fleets re- 
ceived considerable damage in the action, and the loss of 
the English was tliirty killed, and seveniy-Lhree wounded; 
but no ship was taken on either side. The British fleet, 
however, claimed the advantage ; as the French were 
obliged to retire, and were supposed to be prevented by 
this action from carrying troops into the Chesapeake, in 
order to attack Gen. Arnold, and impede the progress 
of Lord Cornwallis. But it was an unfortunate circum- 
stance 'or them, that some time before this engagement, 
the Romulus, a ship of forty-four guns, was captured by 
the French, oH" the Capes of Virginia. 

Lord Cornvvallis, alter his victory over Gen. Greene 
at Guilford, proceeded, as we have seen, to Wilming- 
ton, where he arrived on the 7th of April. But be- 
fore he reached that place, he published a piorlamation, 
calling upon all loyal subjects to stand forth and take 
an active part in restoring good order and government ; 
and declaring to all persons who had engaged in the 
present rebellion against his majesty's authority, bui 
who were now convinced of their error, and desirous 
of returning to their duty and allegiance, that if they 
would surrejider themselves, with their arms and ammu- 
nition, at head quarters, or to the oificers commanding 
in the districts contiguous to their respective places 
of residence, on or before the 20th of that month, 
they would be permitted to return to their homes, 
upon giving a military parole ; they would be pro- 
tected, in their persons and property, from all violence 
from the British troops; and would be restored, as soon 
as possible, to all the privileges of legal and consti- 
tutional government. But it does not appear that 



166 HISTORY 0» THE 

any considerable number of the Americans were allured 
by these promises, to give any evidence of the attach- 
ment to the royal cause. 

On the 20th of May his lordship arrived at Peters- 
burgh, in Virginia, where he joined a body of British 
troops that had been under the command of Maj. Gen. 
Philips; but the command of which, in consequence 
of the death of that officer, had devolved upon Brig, 
Gen. Arnold. Before this juuctioti, he had encounter- 
ed considerable inconveniences from the difficulty of 
procuring provisions and forage ; so thnt in a letter to 
Sir Henry Clinton, he informed him that his cavalry 
wanted every thing, and his infantry eveiy thing but 
ehoes. He added, that he had experienced the distresses 
of marching hundreds of miles in a country chiefly 
hostile, without one active or usefiil friend, without in- 
telligence, and without communications with any part 
of the country. 

On the 26th of June, about six miles from Williams- 
burgh, Lieut. Col. Simcoe, and three hundi-ed and Ri'ty 
of the queen's rangers, with eighty moun.ted Yagers, 
were attacked by a much superior body of the Ameri- 
cans ; but whom they repulsed with great gallantry and 
with equal success, making four officers and twenty 
private men prisoners. The loss of the Americans in 
this action is said to have been upwards of one hundred 
and twenty, and that of the British troops not more 
tlian forty. 

On the 6th of July, an action happened near the 
Green Springs, in Virginia, between a reconnoitering 
party of the Americans, under Gen. Wayne, amount- 
ing to about ei»ht hundred, and a large party of the 
British under Lord Cornwallis ; in which the Ameri- 
cans had one hundred and twenty-seven killed and 
wounded, and the loss of the royal troops is supposed 
to have been considerably greater. It was an action 
in which no small degree of military skill and courage 
was exhibited by the Americans. In a variety of skir- 
mislies, the Marcj^uis de la Fayette ver much distia 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 167 

giilshed himself, and displayed the utmost ardour in thft 

Americnn cause. 

In South-Carolina, an action happened on the 9th of 
September, near the Eutaw Springs, between a large 
body of Britisii troops, under the command of Lieut. 
Col. Stuart, and an equal body of Americans, under 
the command of Gen. Creene. It was an obstinate en- 
gagement, and lasteil near two hours. Tlie British, 
villi considerable loss, were, in the first part of the 
battle, routed in all (juaj-ters ; but some having taken 
post in a piqueted uarden, and others thrown them- 
selves into a brick house, the eau^erness of the Ameri- 
can pursuit was co:isiderabIy checked, and gave Col. 
Stuart an opportunity, on the evening of the next day, 
to abandon Kutaw, aisd march lowai'd Charleston, tak- 
ing a number of his wounded, and about one thousand 
stands of arms. 

In the course of the same month. Gen. Arnold was 
sent on an ex[)('diiiou a^a'uist New- London, in Connec- 
ticut, where he tieslroyed a great part of the shipping, 
and an Immense (piantity of naval stores, European 
manufactures, and East and West-India commodities. 
The town itself was also burnt, whicli was said, hut un- 
truly, to have l)eert up.av<ii<iable, on account of the ex- 
plosions of great quantities of gun-powder, which hap» 
pened to be in the store-houses tliat were set on fire. 

A fort, of which it was tliought necessary to gain pos* 
session in this expechtiou, was not taken without consid- 
erable loss. 1 his \vas Fort Griswoid , which was* de- 
fended by the Americans with great gallantry, and the 
assault was made by the Englisli with equal bravery. 
The Britisli troops entered the works with fixed bay- 
onets, and were opposed with great vigour by the Ameri- 
cans with long spears. 

After a most obstinate defence of near forty minntea^ 
the assailants gained possession of the fort, in which 
eighty-five Americans were found dead, and sixty 
wounded, most of them mortally ; but of the killed, h 
is painful to observe, that the greater number fell after 
the British entered the fort, and when resistance Itad 



f^S HISTORY or THE 

ceased. Of the British troops, Maj Montgomery was 
killed by a spear in entering the American works ; and 
one hundred and ninety-two men were also killed and 
wounded in tiiis expedition. 

^"lotwithstanding the advantages that Lord Cornwallig 
had obtained over the Americans, his situation in Vir- 
ginia began by degrees to be very critical ; and the 
rather because he did not receive those reinforcements 
and supplies from Sir Henry Clinton, of which he had 
formed expectations, and which he had conceived to be 
necessary to the success of his operations. 

Indeed, the com«n;mder-in-chief was prevented from 
sending those reinforcements to Lord CornwaHis which 
he otherwise mii^lit have done, by his fears respecting 
New-York, ag^ainst which he entertained great appre- 
hensions that Gen. Washington intended to make a for- 
midable attnck. In fact, that able American general ap- 
pears to have employed great finesse, and taken much 
pains to lead Sir Henry Clinton to entertain this imagi- 
nation. Letters, expressive of this intention, fell into 
the hands of Sir Henry, which were probably written 
with a design that tliey should be intercepted, and only 
with a view to amuse and deceive the British general. 
The project, if so intended, was abundantly successful ; 
and Gen. Washington, by a variety of judicious military 
manouvres, in which he completely out-generaled the 
British commander, increased his apprehensions lor the 
safety of New-York, and prevented him from sending 
assistance to Lord CornwaHis. 

Having for a considerable time kept Gen. Clinton in 
alarm in New- York, though with an army much infe- 
rior to the garrison of that city. Gen. Washington sud- 
denly quitted his camp at White Plains, crossed the 
Delaware, and marched toward Virginia, apparently 
with a design to attack Lord Cornwallis. Sir Henry 
Clinton, receiving information that the Count de Grasse, 
with a large French fleet, was expected every mo- 
ment in the Chesapeake, to co-operate with General 
Washington, immediately endeavoured, both by land and 
w«ter, tft cooLitnunicate this intelligence to Lord Corn- 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 169 

wallis; and also sent him assurances that he would 
either reinforce him by every possible means in his 
power, or make the best diversion he could in his farour. 
In the mean time Lord Cornwallis had taken possession 
of the posts at Yorktown and Gloucester, in Virginia, 
where he fortified himself in the best manner he was able. 



CHAPTER XXVII. 

Action between the French and English fleets in the Chesa- 
peake.— Gen. Washington blocks up the British army at 
Yorktown. — Sir Henry Clinton sails to the Chesapeake with 
a large body of British troops. — Surrender of the British 
army under Lord Cornwallis. — Inveteracy of the tories. 
Sir Guy Carleton arrives at New- York, and negotiations 
for peace are opened. — Georgia and Soiith-Carolina evac- 
uated by the British. — Great Br:tain acknowledges the in- 
dependence of America. — British troops evacuate New- 
York. — Conclusion of the war. 

On the 2Sth of August, Sir Samuel Hood, with a squad- 
ron from the West Indies, joined the squadron under 
the command of Admiral Graves before New-York. It 
was then necessary, on account of the situation of Lord 
Cornwallis, that they should immediately proceed to the 
Chesapeake ; but some time appears to have been need- 
lessly lost, though Admiral Hood was extremely anxious 
that no delay might be made. 

They arrived, however, in the Chesapeake, on the 
6th of September, with nineteen ships of the line ; 
where they found the Count de Grasse, who had an- 
chored in that bay on the 30th of August, with twenty- 
four ships of the line. The French admiral had pre- 
viously landed a large body of troops, which had been 
brought from Rhode-Island, and who immediately 
inarched to join the American army under General 
Washington. 

The British and French fleets came to an action on 
the same day in which the former arrived in the Chesa- 
peake. On board the British fleet ninety were killed 
15 



170 HisTORr or the 

and two hundred and fcrty-six wounded: some of the 
ships were greatly damaged in the engagement ; and 
the Terrible, a seventy-four gun ship, was so much 
shattered that it was afterwards found necessary to set 
(ire to her. 

That this action had not been favourable to the English, 
was manifest from the event : the fleets continued in 
sight of each other for five days successively, and some- 
times were very near ; but at length the French fleet 
all anchored within the Cape, so as "to block up the pas- 
sage. Admh^al Graves, who was the commander-in- 
chief, then called a council of war, in which it was re- 
solved that the fleet should proceed to New-York, that 
the ships might be put in the best state for the service : 
and thus were the French left masters of the navigation 
of the Chesapeake. 

Before the news of this action had reached New- 
York, a council of war had been held there, in which 
it was resolved that five thousand men should be em- 
barked on board the king's ships, in order to proceed 
to the assistance of Lord Cornwallis. But when it 
was known that the French were absolute masters of 
the navigation of the Chesapeake it was thought inex- 
pedient to send off that reinforcement immediately ; 
and, in another council of war, it was resolved, that as 
Lord Cornwallis had provisions to last him to the end 
of October, it wasadviseable to wait for more favourable 
accounts from xldmiral Graves, or for the arrival of 
Admiral Digby, who was expected with three ships of 
the line. It was not then known, at New- York, that 
Admiral Graves had determined to return with the 
whole fleet to tliat port. 

In the mean time, the most effectual measures were 
adopted by Gen. Washington for surrounding the British 
army under Lord Cornwallis. A large body of French 
troops, under the command of Lieut. Gen. the Count 
de Rochambeau, with a very considerable train of 
artillery, assisted in the enterprise. The Americana 
amounted to eight thousand continentals and five thousand 
.nilitia. Gen. Washington was invested with the a«- 



AMERICAN nEVOLUTION. 171 

thority of the commander-in-chief of the combined forces 
of America and France. 

On the 29th of September the investment of York- 
town was complete, and the British army quite blocked 
up. The day following, Sir Henry Clinton wrote a 
letter to Lord Cornwaliis, containing assurances that 
he would do every thing in his power to relieve him, 
and giving some information concerning the steps that 
would be taken for that purpose. A duplicate of this 
letter was sent to his lordship by Maj. Cochran, a very 
gallant otficer, who went in a vessel to the Capes, and 
made his way to Lord Cornwaliis, through the whole 
French fleet, hi an open boat. He reached Yorktown 
on the 10th of October, and soon after his arrival his 
head was carried off by a cannon ball. 

On the return of Admiral Graves to New-York, a coun- 
cil of war was again held, in which it was resolved that 
a large body of troops should be embarked on board 
the fleet, as soon as the vessels were refitted ; and that 
the exertions of both fleet and army should be made to 
forma junction with Lord Cornwaliis. Sir Henry 
Chnton himself embarked, with upwards of seven 
thousand troops, on the 18ih of October, and arrived 
off Cape Charles at the entrance of the Chesapeake, on 
the 24th, where they received intelligence that Lord 
Cornwaliis had been obliged to capitulate five days 
before. 

It was on the 19th of October, 1781, that Lord Corn- 
waliis surrendered himself and his whole army, by capi- 
tulation, prisoners to the combined army under Gen- 
Washington. He made a defence suitable to the cha- 
racter he had before acquired for courage and military 
skill ; but was compelled to submit to untoward circum- 
stances and superior numbers. 

It was agreed, by the articles of capitulation, that the 
British troops were to be prisoners to the United States 
of America, and the seamen to the French king, to 
whose officers also the British vessels found at York- 
town and Gloucester, were to be delivered up. The 
Britlak troops amounted to upwards of seven thousand ; 



172 HISTORY OP THE 

but many of them, at the time of the surrender, were 
incapable of duty. A considerable number of cannon, 
and a large quantity of military stores, fell into the 
hands of the Americans on this occasion. 

The privilege of marching out with the honours of 
war was refused to Lord Cornwallis, as this honour had 
been refused to Gen. Lincoln ; and this officer wa3 
now selected to receive the submission of the royal army 
at Yorktown, in the same manner his own submission 
had been received by the British about eighteen months 
before at Charleston. 

As no rational expectation now remained of a subju- 
gation of the colonies, the military operations that suc- 
ceeded in America were of little consequence. Some 
inconsiderable actions and skirmishes did indeed take 
place after that event ; in which the refugees chiefly 
distinguished themselves, and discovered an inveterate 
animosity ag'alnst the Americans. 

On the 5[h of May, 1782, Sir Guy Carleton arrived 
?.!• New-York, being appointed to the command of the 
British troops in America, in the room of Sir Henry 
Clinton. Two days after his arrival, he Vv-rote a letter 
to Gen. Washington, acquainting him, that Admiral 
Digby was joined with himself in a commission to treat 
of peace with the people of America ; transmitting to 
him, at the same time, some papers tending to manifest 
the pacific disposition of the government and people of 
Britain toward these of America. He also desired a 
passport for Mr. Morgan, who was appointed to trans- 
mit a similar letter of compliment to the congress. 

Gen. Washington declined signing any passport, till 
he had taken the opinion of congress upon that mea- 
sure ; and by tliem he was directed to refuse any pass- 
port for such a purpose. However, another letter 
was sent to Gen. Washington, dated the 2d of August, 
signed by SidlGuy Carleton and Rear Admiral Digby, 
in which they Inibrmed him, that they were acquainted 
by authority, that negotiations for a general peace had 
already commenced at Paris ; that Mr. Grenville was 
invested with full powers to treat with all the parties 



AMERtGAN REVOLUTION. 



173 




15* 



J74 HISTORY OP 'THfi 

at vvai' ; and was then at Paris in the execution of his 
commission. 

They further informed him, that his Britannic majesty, 
in order to remov^e all obstacles to that peace which he 
so ardently wished to restore, had commanded his minis- 
ters to direct Mr. Grenville, that the independence of 
the thirteen provinces should be proposed by him, in the 
first instance, instead of making it the condition of a ge- 
neral treaty. 

But some jealousies ^vere entertained by the Ameri- 
cans, that it was the design of the British court, either to 
disunite them, or bring them to treat of a peace sepa- 
rately from their ally, the king of France. It was> there- 
fore resolved, that any man, or body of men, in Ame- 
rica, who should presume to make any separate or partial 
convention or agreement with the king of Great Britain, 
or with any commissioner or commissioners under the 
crown of Great Britain, ought to be considered and 
treated as open and avowed enemies of the United States 
of America ; and also that the United States could not 
with propriety hold any conference or treaty Avith Great 
Britain, unless that government should, as a preliminary 
thereto, either withdraw their fleets and armies, or else, 
in positive and express terms, acknowledge the indepen- 
dence of the said states. It was likewise resolved, that 
any propositions which might be made by the court of 
Great Britain, in any manner tending to violate the 
treaty subsisting between the United States and the king 
of France, ou«.»;ht to be treated with every mark of in- 
dignity and contempt. 

In the month of June, the town of Savannah, and the 
^vhole province of Georgia were evacuated by the Bri- 
tish troops ; as was also Charleston, in South-Carolina, 
about the close of the year. 

In the mean time, the negotiations being continued, 
provisional articles of peace were signed at Paris, on 
the 30th of November, by the commissioner of his 
Britannic majesty and the American commissioners, in 
which his majesty acknowledged the united provinces 
of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, 



AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 175 

and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New- York, 
New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virgi- 
nia, North-Carolina, South-Carolina, and Georgia to be 

They had declared themselves to be such on the 
4th of July, 1773 ; they had been acknowledged as 
such by the king of France, on the 30th of January, 
1778, when he concluded with them a treaty of aniity 
and commerce ; Holland had acknowledged them as 
such, April 19th, 1782 ; Sweden acknowledged them 
as such, February 6th, 1783 ; Denmark, the 25th of 
February, Spain in March, and Russia in July, of the 
same year. 

The definitive treaty was signed on the 3d of Sep- 
tember, 1783 ; and on the 25th of November follow- 
ing, the British troops evacuated the city of New-York, 
which was immediately entered by the Americans, in a 
joyful and well conducted procession, headed by Gen. 
Washington and Gov. Clinton. 

Soon after this event, the soldiers of the American 
army, cheerfully resuming the character of citizens, 
returned peaceably to tiieir respective homes ; while 
their beloved and ever honoured commauder, having 
taken a pathetic leave of his officers, repah-ed to Anna- 
polis ; and on the 23d of December, at an audience with 
congress, (perhaps the most singular and interesting that 
ever occurred,) resigned his commission into the hands 
of the president of that honourable body, amid the 
acclamations of his grateful and admiring countrymen. 

According to the report of the committee appointed 
for that purpose, the foreign debt of the United States 
incurred by the war, amounted to §7,885,085, and the 
domestic debt to §35, 115,290, equal to 9,450,084/. 
sterling. But the cost to Great Britain is moderately 
estimated at 115,645, 914/. As to the loss of men du- 
ring this war, the United States, according* to authentic 
estimates, lost by the sword and in prison, near eighty 
thousand men ; and by the British returns at New- York, 
the number of soldiers killed in the service, amounted 
to forty-three thousand six hundred and thirty -three. 



A^^mnBas. 



GENERAL ORDER, 

ISSUED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON, ON THE 
CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. 

Head-Quarters, Newburgh, April, 18, 1783. 

jl he commander-in-chief orders the cessation of hoss- 
tilities between the United States of America and the 
king of Great Britain, to be publicly proclaimed to-mo?- 
rovv at 12 o'clock, at the new building ; and that the 
proclamation which will be communicated herewith, be 
read to-morrow evening, at the head of every Vegiment 
and corps of the army ; after which, the chaplains, with 
the several brigades, will render thanks to Almighty God 
for all his mercies, particularly for his over-ruling the 
wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of 
war to cease among the nations. 

Although the proclamation before alluded to, extends 
only to the prohibition of hostilities, and not to the an- 
nunciation of a general peace, yet it must aflbrd the most 
rational and sincere satisfaction to every benevolent 
mind, as it puts a period to a long- and doubtful contest 
— stops the effusion of human blood — opens the prospect 
to a more splendid scene— and, like another morning 
star, promises the approach of a brighter day than has 
hitherto illuminated this western hemisphere ! On such 
a happy day — a day which is the harbinger of peace — a 
day which completes the eighth year of the war, it would 
be ingratitude not to rejoice : it would be insensibility 
not to participate in the general felicity. 

The commander-in-chief, far from, endeavouring to 
itifle the feelings of joy in his own bosom, offers his 



178 



APFEKDIX. 



most cordial congratulations on the occagion, to all the 
officers of every denomination — to all the troops of the 
United States in general, and in particular to those gal- 
lant and persevering men, who had resolved to defend the 
rights of their invaded country so long as the war should 
continue ; for these are the men who ought to be con- 
sidered as the pride and boast of the American army, 
and who, crowned with well earned laurels, may soon 
withdraw from the field of glory to the more tranquil 
walks of civil life. 

While the genera] recollects the almost infinite variety 
cff scenes through vi^hich we have passed, with a mixtura 
of pleasure, astonishment, and gratitude — while he con- 
templates the prospects before us with rapture — he can- 
not help wishing that all the brave men, of whatever 
condition they may be, who have shared in the toils and 
dangers of effecting this glorious revolution, of rescuing 
millions from the hand of oppression, and of laying 
the foundation of a great empire, might be impressed 
Tr:t.h j*. proper ides* of the dignified part they have been 
called to act (under tiie smiles of Providence) on the 
stage of human affairs ; for happy, thrice happy, shall 
they be pronounced hereafter, who have contributed 
any tiling, who have performed the meanest office in 
ei'ecting this stupendous /rt6nc of Freedom and Empire, 
on the broad basis of Independence ; who have assisted 
in protecting the rights of human nature, and establish- 
ing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all nations 
and religions. 

The glorious task for which we first flew to arms, be- 
ing thus accomplished — the liberties of our country be- 
in^ fully acknowledged and firmly secured, by the smiles 
of Heaven on the purity of our cause, and the honesi 
exertions of a feeble people, determined to be free, 
against a powerful nation disposed to oppress them : 
and the character of those who have persevered through 
every extremity of hardship, suffering, and danger, be- 
ijig immortalized by the illu-strious appellation of Uia 
Fatriot Army, nothing now remains but for the actoi'a 
of this mighty scena to preserve a perfect, unvarying 



APPENDIX. 179 

eonsisteney of character through the very last act ; to 
close the drama with applause ; and to retire from the 
military theatre with the same approbation of angels 
and men, which have crowned all their former virtu- 
ous actions. 

For this purpose, no disorder or licentiousness must 
be tolerated ; every considerate and well disposed sol- 
dier must remember,, it will be absolutely necessary to 
wait with patience, until peace shall be declared, or 
congress shall be enabled to take proper measures for 
the security of the public stores, &c. As soon as these 
arrangements shall be made, the general is confident 
there will be no delay in discharging, with every mark 
of distinction and honour, all the men enlisted for the 
war, who will then have faithfully performed their en- 
gagements with the public. The general has already 
interested himself in their behalf; and he thinks he^need 
not repeat the assurances of his disposition to be useful 
to them on the present, and every otlier proper^occasion. 
In the mean time, he is determined that no military ne- 
glects or excesses shall go unpunished, while he retains 
the command of the army. 

The adjutant-general will have such working parties 
detached to assist in making the preparation for a gene- 
ral rejoicing, as the chief engineer, with the army, shall 
call for; and the quarter-master-general will/also fur- 
Dish such materials as he may want. The quarter-mas- 
ter-general will, without delay,- procure such a number 
of discharges to be printed as will be sufficient for all the 
men enlisted for the war ; he will please to apply to 
-head quarters for the form. 

An extra ration of liquor to be issued to every man 
to-morrow, to drinli perpetual peace, independence, 

AND HAPPINESS, TO THE UwiTED STATES OF AjMEEJOA. 



1 80 APPENDIX. 

ADDRESS OF CONGRESS 

TO GENERAL WASHINGTON. 

i;nited states, in congress assembled. 

Princeton, August 26, 1783. 

Recording to order, Gen. Washino;ion attended, and be- 
ing introduced by two members^ the President addressed 
him as follows : 

Sir, 

Congress feel particular pleasure in seeing your ex- 
cellency, and in congratulating you on the success of a 
war, in which you have acted so conspicuous a part. 

It has been the singular happiness of the United States," 
that during a war, so long, so dangt rtius, and so impor- 
tant, Providence has been graciously pleased to preserve 
the life of a general, who has merited and possessed the 
uninterrupted confidence aiid afiVction of his fellow ci- 
tizens, la other nations many have performed services, 
for which they have deserved and received the thanks 
of the public ; but to you, sir, peculiar praise is due.- 
Youi services have been essential in acquiring and esta- 
blishing the freedom and independence of your coun- 
try. They deserve the grateful acknowledgments of a 
free and independent nation. — Those acknowledgments, 
congress have the satisfaction of expressing to your ex- 
cellency. 

Hostilities have now ceased, but your country stiff 
needs your services. She wishes to avail herself of 
your talents in forming the arrangements which will be 
necessary for her in the time of peace. For this rea- 
son your attendance at congress has been requested.-— 
A committee is appointed to confer with your excellen- 
cy, and to receive your assistance in preparing and d»- 
getting planA relative to those important objects. 



APPENDIX, 181 



GENERAL WASHINGTON'S ANSWER. 

Mr. President, 

I AM too sensible of the honourable reception I h^yre 
now experienced, not to be penetrated with the deepest 
feelings of gratitude. 

Notwithstanding congress appear to estimate the value 
of my life beyond any services I have been able to 
render the United States, yet I must be permitted to 
consider the wisdom and unanimity of our national 
councils, the firmn ss of our citizens, and the patience 
and bravery of our troops, which have produced so 
happy a tei»i^?kiatio .s of the war, as the most conspicuous 
effect of the divine interposition, and the surest presage 
of our future happiness. 

Highly gratified by the favourable sentiments which 
congre.ss are pleased to express of my past conduct, and 
amply rewarded by the confidence and affection of my 
fellow citizens, 1 cannot hesitate to contribute my best 
endeavours toward the establishment of the national 
security, in whatever manner the sovereign power may 
think proper to direct, until the ratification of the de- 
finitive treaty of peace, or the final evacuation of our 
country by the British forces ; after either of which 
events, I shall ask permission to retire to the peaceful 
fihade of private life. 

Perhaps, sir, no occasion may offer more suitable 
than the present, to express my humble thanks to God 
and my grateful acknowledgments to my country, for 
the great and uniform support I have received in every 
vicissitude o,f fortune, and for the many distinguished 
honours which congress have been pleased to coiifep 
upon me in the course of the war. 
IG 



182 APPENDIX. 

FAREWELL ORDERS 

OF GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE ARMIES 
OF THE UNITED STATES. 

Rocky-Hill, near Princeton. Nov. 2, 1783. 

Thf. ITn'fpi^ Stntp'^ ill r,r!»i;r.-ess 3.r?spniblfH. after <j;iv- 
ing the most honourable testimony to the siier'^s of the 
federal armies, and presentini; them with the thanks of 
their country, for their lon;^:, eminent, and faithful ser- 
vice, having thoui^ht projier, by their proclamation 
bearing date the 18th of Octol)er last, to discharge such 
part of the troops as were e.')i,'',iired for the war, and to 
permit the officers on furiouuh to retire from service, 
from and after to-jnorrow, which proclamation tiaving 
been communicated in the public papers, for the infor- 
mation and goverrmient of a!l concerned, it only re- 
maliis for the commander-in-chief to address himself 
once more, and that for the last time, to die armies of 
the United States, (however widely dispersed individuals 
who compose them may be,) and to bid them an affec- 
tionate — a long farewell. 

But before the comman(?er-in-chief takes his final 
leave of those he holds most Ae'.\r, he xvishes to indulge 
himself a few moments in calh.'.u to mind a shght view 
of ti'.e past: he will then taUe the liberty of exploring, 
with ills military friejtds, their future prospects ; of 
Advising the general lineOf conduct which in his opinion 
DUght to be pursued ; and he will then conclude the 
address, by expressing the obligations he feels himself 
under for the spirited and able assistance he has ex- 
perienced from them, in the performance. of an arduous 
oflfice. 

A contemplation of the complete attainment (at a 
period earlier than could have been expected) of the 
object for which we contended, against so formidable a 
power, cannot but inspire us with astonishment and 
gratitude. The disadvantageous circumstances on our 
part, under which the war was undertaken, can never 
be forgotten. The signal interpositions of Providence, 



APPENDIX. 183 

in our feeble condition, were such as could scarcely 
escape the attention of the most unobserving; while 
the unparalleled perseverance of the armies of the United 
States, through almost every possible suffering and dis- 
couragement, for the space of eight long years, was 
little short of a standing miracle. 

It is not the meaning, nor within the compass of this 
address, to detail the hardships peculiarly incident to 
our service, or to describe the distresses which in several 
instances have resulted from the extremes of hunger 
and nakedness, combined with the rigours of an in- 
clement season : nor is it necessary to dwell on the 
dark side of our past affairs. 

Every American officer and soldier must now con- 
sole himself for any unpleasant circumstance which may 
have occurred, by a recollection of the uncommon 
scenes in which he has been called to act no inglorious 
part, and the astonlsWng- events of which he has been a 
witness ; events which have seldom if ever before taken 
place on the stage of human action, nor can they pro- 
bably ever happen again. For who has before seen a 
disciplined army formed at once from such raw ma- 
terials ? Who that was not a witness could imagine that 
the most violent local prejudices would cease so soon, 
and that men who came from the different parts of the 
continent, strongly disposed by the habits of education 
to despise and quarrel with each other, would instantly 
become but one patriotic band of brothers ? Or who 
that was not on the spot, can trace the steps by which, 
such a wonderful revolution has been effected, and such 
a glorious period put to all our warlike toils ? 

It is universally acknowledged, that the enlarged 
prospects of happiness, opened by the confirmation of 
our independence and sovereignty, almost exceed the 
power of description : and shall not the brave men who 
have contributed so essentially to these inestimable ac- 
quisitions, retiring victorious from the field of war to 
the field of agriculture, participate in all the blessings 
which have been obtained ? In such a republic, who will 



184 APPENDIX. 

exclude them from the rights of citizens, and the fruits 
of their labours ? In such a country, so happily circum- 
stanced, the pursuits of commerce, and the cultivation 
of the soil, will unfold to industry the certain road to 
competence. To those hardy soldiers who are actuated 
by the spirit of adventure, the fisheries will afford ample 
and profitable employment; and the extensive and fertile 
regions of the west, will yield a most happy asylum to 
those who, fond of domestic enjoyment, are seeking per- 
sonal independence. Nor is it possible to conceive 
that any one of the United States will prefer a national 
bankruptcy, and the dissolution of the union, to a com- 
pliance with the requisitions of congress, and the pay- 
ment of its just debts; so that the ofiicers and soldiers 
may expect considerable assistance, in re-commencing 
their civil occupations, from the sums (kie to them from 
the public, which must and will most inevitably be paid. 
In order to effect this desirable purpose, and remove 
the prejudices which may have taken possession of the 
minds of any of the good people of the states, it is ear- 
nestly recommended to all the troops, that with strong 
attachment to the union, they should carry with them 
into civil society, the most conciliating dispositions, and 
that they should prove themselves not less virtuous 
as soldiers. What though there should be some envi- 
ous individuals, who are unwilling to pay the debt the 
public has contracted, or to yield the tribute due to 
merit, yet, let such unworthy treatment produce no in- 
vective, or any instance of intemperate conduct. Let 
it be remembered, that the unbiassed voice of the free 
citizens of the United States, has promised the just re- 
ward, and given the merited applause. Let it be known 
and remembered, that the reputation of the federal ar- 
mies is established beyond the reach of malevolence ; 
and let a consciousness of their achievements and fame, 
still excite the men who composed them to honourable 
actions, under the persuasion that the private virtues 
of economy, prudence, and industry, will not be less 
amiable in civil life, than the more splendid qualities 



ArPKNDIX. 135 

of valour, perseverance, a;i(I enterprise, were in the 
field. 

Every one may rest assui-eil that much, very much 
of the future happiness of thn officers and men, will de- 
pend upon the wise and ma.ily conduct which shall bs 
adopted by them, when they are mingled with the crreat 
body of the conununity. And althou^^h the generai 
has so frequently given it as his opinion, in the most 
public and explicit manner, that unless the principles 
of the federal government were properly supported, 
and the powers of the union increased, the honour, 
dignity, and justice of tiie nation would be lost for ever ; 
yet he cannot help re[)eating on this occasion so inter- 
esting a sentinient, and leaviviu- it as his last injunction 
to every officer, and every soldier, who may view the 
subject in the same serious point of light, to add his 
best endeavours to those of liis worthy i'ellow citizens, 
toward eiTecling these greai. And valuable purposes, on 
which our very existence ar^ ' nation so materially de- 
pends. 

The commander-in-chief conceives little is now 
wanting to enable the soldic i- to change tiie military 
character into that of the citizen, but that steady, de- 
cent tenor of behaviour, whic has generally distinguish- 
ed not only the army under ids immediate command, 
but the different detachments and armies through the 
course of the war. From ilieir good sense and pru-r 
dence he anticipates the Intjipiest consequences; and 
while he congratulates them on the glorious occasion 
which renders their services in the field no longer ne- 
cessary, he wishes to express the strong obligations he 
feels himself under for the assistance he has received 
from every class, and in every instance. He presents 
his thanks in the most serious and affectionate manner, 
to the general officers, as well for their counsels oa 
many interesting occasions, as for their ardour in pro- 
moting the success of the plans he had adopted. T» 
the commandants of regimenls and corps, and to the 
other officers, for their zeal and attention in carrying 
his orders promptly into execution — to the staff for their 
16* 



186 APPEi^Dii. 

alacrity and exactness in performlnii^ the duties of theif 
several departments ; and to the non-commissioned offi- 
cers and private soldiers, for their extraordinary pa- 
tience and suffering, as well as their invincible fortitude 
in action. To the various branches of the army, the 
iieneral takes this last and solemn opportunity of pro- 
fessing- his inviolable attachment and friendship. He 
v.ishes more than bare professions were in iiis power, 
that he was really able to be useful to them all in future 
life. Tie flatters himself, iiowever, they will do him 
the justice to believe that wliatever could with propriety 
be attempted by him, has been done. 

And being now to conclude these his last public or- 
ders, to take his ultimate leave in a short time of the mi- 
li'iary character, and to bid a final adieu lo the armies 
lie basso long had the honour to command, he can only 
j-ij^.^ln offer in their behalf, his recommendations to their 
p'ateful country, and his prayers to tlie God of armies. 
May ample justice be done them here, and may the 
choicest of Heaven's favours, bath here and liereafter, 
attend those, who under the divine auspices, have se- 
cured innumerable blessings for others. With these 
wishes, and this benediction, tlie commander-in-chief is 
about to retire from service. The curtain of separation 
will soon be drawn, and the military scene to him will 
be closed for ever. 

THE ANSWER. 

We the officers of the part of the army remaining 
on the banks of the Hudson, have received your ex- 
cellency's serious and farewell address to the armies of 
the United States. We beg you to accept our unfeign- 
ed thanks for the communication, and your affectionate 
assurances of inviolable attachment and friendship. If 
your attempts to insure lo the armies, the just, the pro- 
mised rewards, of their long, severe, and dangerous 
services, have failed of success, we believe it has arisea 
from causes not in your excellency's power to cott- 



APPENDIX. 187 

Irol. With extreme regret do we reflect on the occa> 
eion which called for such endeavours. But while we 
thank your excellency for these exertions in favour of 
the troops you have so successfully commanded, we pray 
it may be believed, that in this sentiment our own par^ 
ticular interests have but a secondary place ; and thai 
even the ultimate ingratitude of the people (were tha« 
possible) could not shake the patriotism of those whi 
suffer by it. Still with pleasing wonder, and with grate 
ful joy, shall we contemplate the glorious conclusion oi 
our labours. To that merit in the revolution, which, 
under the auspices of Heaven, the ai'mles have displayed, 
posterity will do justice ; and the sons will blush, whose 
fathers were I heir foes. 

Most gladly would we cast a veil on every act which 
sullies the reputation of, our country — never should the 
page of history be stained Avith its dishonour — even from 
our mem.ories should the idea be erased. We lament 
the opposition to those salutary measures which the 
wisdom of the union has planned ; measures which 
alone can recover and fix on a permanent basis the cre- 
dit of the states ; measures which are essential to the 
justice, the honour, and interest of the nation. — While 
she was givino^ the noblest proofs of magnanimity, with 
conscious pride we saw her growing fam.e ; and, regard- 
less of present sufferings, we looked forward to the end 
of our toils and dangers, to brighter scenes in prospect. 
There we beheld the genius of our country dignified by 
sovereignty and independence, supported by justice, and 
adorned with every liberal virtue. There we saw pa- 
tient husbandry fearless extend her cultured fields, and 
animated commerce spread her sail? to every wind. 
There we beheld fair science lift her head, with all the 
arts attending in her train. There, blest with freedom, 
we saw the human mind expand; and, throwing aside 
the restraints which confined it to the narrow bounds of 
country, it embraced the world. Such were our fond 
hopes, and with such delightful prospects did they pre* 
cent us. Nor are we disappointed. Those animating 
prospects are now changed and changing to realities $ 



IB8 APPENDIX. 

■nd actively to have contributed to their production, is 
our pride, our calory. But justice alone can t^ive them 
stability. In that justice we still believe. Still we hope, 
that the prejudices of the misinformed will be removed, 
and the arts of false and selfish popularity, addressed to 
the feelings of avarice, defeated : or, in the worst event, 
the world, we hope, will make the just distinction : vva 
trust the disintjenuousness of a few will not sully the re- 
putation, the honour, and dignity, of the great and re- 
spectable majority of the states. 

We are happy in the opportunity just presented of 
congratulating your excellency on the certain conclu- 
sion of the definitive treaty of peace. Relieved at length 
from long suspense, our warmest wish is to return to 
the bosom of our country, to resume the character of 
citizens ; and it will be our highest ambition to become 
useful ones. To your excellency, this great event must 
be peculiarly pleasing : for while at the head of her ar- 
mies, urged by patriot virtues and magnanimity, you per- 
severed, under the pressure of every possible difficulty 
and discouragement, in the pursuit of the great objects 
of the war — the freedom and safety of your country ; 
your heart panted for the tranquil enjoyments of peace. 
We cordially rejoice with you, that the peiiod of indulg- 
ing them has arrived so soon. In contemplating the 
blessings of liberty and independence, the rich prize of 
eight years hardy adventure, past sufferings will be for- 
gotten ; or, if remembered, the recollection will serve to 
heighten the relish of present happiness. We sincerely 
pray God that this happiness may long be yours ; and 
that when you quit the stage of human life, you may re- 
ceive from the unerring Judge, the rewards of valour 
exerted to save the oppressed, of patriotism, and disitt- 
terested virtue. 



APPENDIX* 180 

ADDRESS 

OF GENERAL WASHINGTON TO CONGRESS, ON 

RESIGNING HIS MILITARY COMMISSION. 

December 23, 1783. 
Mr. President, 

The great ev^ents on which my resignation depended 
havinar at 1enji:th taken place, I have now the honour of 
offerins: my sincere consfratulations to congress, and of 
presentino: myself before them, to surrender into their 
hands the trust committed to me, and to claim the indul- 
gence of retiring: from the service of my country. 

Happy in the confirmation of our independence and 
sovereignty, and pleased with the opportunity afforded 
the United States, of becominp^ a respectable nation, I 
resign with satisfaction the appointment 1 accented with 
diiiidpnce — a diffidence in my nbillties to accomplish SO 
arduous a task ; which, however, was superseded by » 
confidence in the rectitude of our cause, the supp rt of 
the supreme power of the union, and the patronage of 
Heaven. ^ 

The successful termination of the war has verified tho 
most sanguine expectations ; and my 2:ratitude for tha 
interposition of Providence, and the assistance I have re- 
ceived from my countrymen, increases with every review 
of the momentous contest. 

"VMiile I repeat my obligations to the army in creneraJ, 
I should do injustice to my own feeling's not to acknow 
ledge in this place, the peculiar services and distinguish- 
ed merits of the gentlemen who have been attached to 
my person during the war. It was impossible the 
choice of confidential officers to com;">ose my family 
ehould have been more fortunate. Permit me, sir, to 
recommend in particular, those who have continued in 
the service to the present moment, as worthy of the fa- 
vourable notice and patronage of congress. 

I consider it an indispensable duty to close this la^ 
act of my official life by recommending the interests of 
our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God, 



190 APPENDIX. 

and those who have the superintendence of them to hia 
holy keeping. 

Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire 
from the great theatre of action, and bidding an affection- 
ate farewell to this august body, under whose orders I 
have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take 
leave of all the employments of public life 



THE ANSWER. 

Sir, 

The United States, in conjyress assembled, receive, 
with emotions too affecting for utterance, the solemn 
resignation of the authorities under which you have led 
their troops with success through a perilous and a doubt- 
ful war. Called upon by your country to defend its in- 
vaded rights, you accepted the sacred charge, before it 
had formed alliances, and while it was vvitliout funds or 
a government to support you. You have conducted the 
great military contest with wisdom and fortitude, inva- 
riably regarding the rights of the civil power through ail 
disasters and changes. You have, by the love and con- 
fidence of your fellow-citizens, enabled them to display 
their martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity. 
You have persevered, till these United States, aided by a 
magnamimous king and nation, have been enabled, un- 
der a just Providence, to close the war in freedom, safe- 
ty, and independence ; on which happy event we sin- 
cerely join you in congratulations. 

Having defended the standard of liberty in this new 
world : having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict, 
and to those who feel oppression, you retire from the 
great theatre of action, with the blessini^s of your fellow, 
citizens — but the glory of your virtues will not terminate 
with your military command ; it will continue to animate 
remotest ages. 

We feel will you our obligations to the army in ge- 
neral, and m\} pai'ticularly charge oui-selves with the 



APPENDIX. I9i 

interests of those confidential officers, who have attended 
your person to this affecting moment. 

We join you in commending the interests of our 
dearest country to the protection of Almiii^hty God, be- 
seeching him to dispose the hearts and mincis of its citi- 
zens, to improve tlie opportunity aff(trded them, of be- 
c®ming a happy and respectable nation. And for you 
we address to him our earnest prayers, that a hfe so 
beloved, may be fostered with all his care: that youp 
days may he happy as tliey have been illustrious; and 
that he will finally give you that reward which this world 
cannot give. 



THE 

CONSTITUTIOxN 

OF THE 

We the people of the United States, in onier to form a 
more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domes- 
tic tranquillity, provide for the common defence, pro- 
mote the sj^eneral welfare, and secure the blessings of 
liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and 
establish this constitution for the United States of 
America. 

ARTICLE I. 

Section 1. All lej^islative powers herein granted shall be 
Tested in a congress of the United Slates, which shall consist 
of Si Senate and a House of Representatives. 

Sec. 2. The house of representatives shall be composed of 
members chosen every second year by the people of the seve- 
ral states, and the electors in each stale shall have the quali- 
fications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch 
of the state leg-islature. i 

No person shall be a representative who shall not have at- 
tained to the aj^e of twenty-five years, and been seven years a 
citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, 
be an inhabitant of that state in whicii he shall be chosen. 

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned amoQg 



192 APPENDIX. 

the several states which may be included within this Unioa, 
according to their respective numbers, which shall be deter* 
mined by adding to the whole number of free persons, uicIh- 
ding' those bound to service for a term of three years, and ex- 
cluding- Indians not taxed, three fifllis of all other persons. 
The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after 
the first meeting ofthe congress of the United States, "and withia 
every subsequent term often years, in such manner Ji^they 
shall by law direct.— The number of representatives shall not 
exceed one for every thirty thousand, but each state shall have 
at least one representative; and until such enumeration shall 
be made, the state of New-Hampshire shall be entitled to 
choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Provi- 
dence plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New- 
Jersey, four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Mviryland 
six, Virginia ten, North-Carolina five, South- Carolina five, 
and Georgia three. 

When vacancies happen in the representation from any 
state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of elec- 
tion to fill such vacancies. 

The house of representatives shall choose their speaker and 
other officers; and shall have the sole power of impeachment. 

Sec 3. The senate of the United States shall be composed 
of two senators from <'ach state, chosen by the legislature there- 
of, for six years ; and each senator shall have one vote. 

Immediately after they shall be assembled m consequence of 
the first election, they shall be divided as equally as may be 
into three classes. The seats of the senators of the first class 
shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, of the 
second class at the expiration of tiie fourth year, and of the 
third class at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one third 
may be chosen every second year; and if vacancies happen 
by resignation, or otherwise, during the recess of the legisla- 
ture of any state, the executive thereof may make temporary 
appointments until the next meeting of the legislature, which 
shall then fill such vacancies. 

No person shall be a senator, who shall not have attained to 
the age of thirty years, aud been nine years a citizen of the 
United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabit- 
ant of that state for which he shall be chosen. 

The vice-president of the United States shall be president of 
the senate, but shall have no vote, unless they be equally di- 
rided. 

The senate shall choose their other ofl&cers, and also a pre- 
sident, pro tempore^ in the absence of the vice-president, or 
when he shall exercise the office of the president of the United 
States. 

The senate shall have the sole power to try all impeachments. 
Whea sitting for that purpose, they shall be on oath oraffirma" 



APPENDIX. 195 

tion. When the president of the United States is tried, the 
chief justice shall preside : and no person shall be convicted, 
without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. 

Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further 
than to removal from office, and disqualification to hold and 
enjoy any office of honour, trust, or profit, under the United 
States ; but the party convicted shall, nevertheless, be liable 
and subject to indictment, trial, judgment, and punishment, 
according to law. 

Sec. 4. The times, places, and manner of holding elections 
for senators and representatives, shall be prescribed in each 
state, by the legislature thereof ; but the congress may, at any. 
time, b}' law, make or alter such regulations, except as to the 
places of choosing senators. 

The congress shall assemble at least once in every year; 
and such meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, 
unless they shall by law appoint a different day. 

Sec 5. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, re- 
turns, and qualifications, of its own members ; and a majority 
of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller 
number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorised 
to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, 
and under such penalties, as each house may provide. 

Each house may determine the rules of its proceeding, pun- 
ish its members for disorderly behaviour, and, with the con- 
currence of two thirds, expel a member. 

Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and 
from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts ag 
may, in their judgment, require secrecy ; and the yeas and 
nays of the members of either house on any question, shall, at 
the desire of one fifth of those present, be entered on the jour- 
nal. 

Neither house, during the session of congress, shall, without 
the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor 
to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be 
sitting. 

Sec. 6. The senators and representatives shall receive a 
compensation for their services, to be ascertained by law, and 
paid out of the treasury of the United States. They shall, in 
all cases, except treason, felony and breach of the peace, b6 
privileged from arrest, during tlieir attendance at the session 
of their respective houses, and in going to or returning from 
the same ; and for any speech or debate in either house, they 
shall not be questioned in any other place. 

No senator or representative shall, during the time for 
which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office under 
the authority of the United States, which shall have been cre- 
ated, or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased, 
during such time ; and no person holding any office under the 
17 



194 APPENDIX. 

United States, shall be a member of either house during bi§ 
continuance in office. 

Sec. 7. All bills for raising- revenue shall orig-inate in the 
house of representatives ; but the senate may propose or con- ■ 
cur with amendments as on other bills. 

Every bill which sliali have passed the house of representa- 
tives and the senate shall, before it becomes a law, be pre- 
sented to the president of the United States ; if he approve ho 
shall si^n it, but if not he shall return it, with his objections, 
to that house in which it shall have orig-iaated, who shall en- 
ter the objections at larg'e on their journal, and proceed to re- 
f^onsider it. If after such re-consi ieration, two-thirds of that 
house sliall a^ree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, tog-ather 
v/ith the objections to the other house, by which it shall like- 
wise be re-consiilered, and if apj)r()vcd by two-thirds of that 
houso if sh.iU become a law. But in all such cases the votes 
of both lionsos shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the 
aarnes of th^ persons voting for and ag-ainst the bill shall be 
onterc.l oti the journal of each house res:)ectively. If any bill 
shall not be returned by the president within ten days (Sundays 
excepted) after it shall have been nresente i to him, the samo 
hhallbe a law, \u Vdio manner as if he had signed it, unless the 
coiigress, by ihe;r adjournment, prevent its return ; in which 
case it shall not be a law. 

Every order, resolution, or vote, to wtiich the concurrence 
of the s;?nate and house of repiesentalives may be necessary, 
(except on a question of adj(,-.irnment,) shall be presented to 
the president of the United States; and before the same shall 
take effect, shall be approved by him, or being- disapproved 
by lam, shall be re-passed by two thirds of the senate and 
)iOusc of representatives, according to the rules and limitalona 
proscribed in the case of a bill. 

Sec. 8. The congress shall have power — 

To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises , to 
pay the debts, and provide for the common defence and ge- 
neral welfare of the United States; but all duties, imp- ists, 
and excises shall be uniform throughout the United Statis; 

To borrow money on the credit of the United States : 

To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and amon^ the 
»everal states, and with the Indian tribes: 

To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniPorra 
kws on the subject of bankruptcies, throughout the Uttaied 
Istatcs : 

To coin money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreij^D 
coin, and fix the standard of weights and measures : 

To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securi- 
ties and current coin of the United Slates: 

To establish post-offices and post-roads . 

To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by •©- 



APPENDIX. 195 

curing for limited times, to authors and inventors, the exclu- 
sive rig^ht to their respective wruing"s and discoveries. • 

To constitute tribuiials inferior to the supreme court ; To 
define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the higVj 
seas, and offences ag'ainst the law of nations. 

To declare war, grant leiters of marque and reprisal, and 
make rules concerning captures on land and water: 

To raise and support armies; but no appropriations of mo- 
ney to that use, shall be for a longer term than two years. 

To provide and maintain a na^^'. 

To make rules for i\ie go\erntnent and regulation of the 
land and naval forces: \ 

To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws 
of the union, suppress insurrections, and reWl invasions. 

To provide for organizing, arming a:nd disciplining the 
militia, and (or governing such part of them asmay beemploj'cd 
in the servici cTme United States, reservinj^othe states, re- 
spectively, the appointment.of the officers, and the authority of 
training the militia, according to the discipline prescribed by 
congress. 

To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, 
over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by 
cession of particular states, and the acceptance of congress, 
become the seat of government of the United States, and to 
exercise like authority overall places purchased by the consent 
of the legislature of the state in which the nameshall be, for 
the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dock yards, and 
other needful buildings : — And 

To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper, for 
carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other pow- 
ers vested by this constitution in the government of the United 
States, or in any department or officer thereof. 

Sec 9.* The migration or importation of such persons as any 
of the states, now existing, shall think proper to admit, shall not 
be prohibited by the congress, prior to the year owe thousand 
eight hundred and eight ; but a tax or duty may be imposed on 
such importation, not exceeding ten dollars foi- each person- 

The p-ir;lege of the writ of habeas corpus shall be suspended, 
unless when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety 
may require it. 

No bill of attainder, or ex post facto law, shall be passed. 

No capitation, or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in 
proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed 
to be taken. 

No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any 
state. No preference shall be given, by any regulation of 
commerce or revenue, to the ports of one state over those of 
another ; nor shall vessels bound to or from one state, be obligeil 
to enter, clear, or pay duties infanother. 



196 APPENDIX. 

No money shall be drawn from the treasury, but in conse- 
quence of appropriations made by law ; and a reg-ular statement 
and account of the receipts and expenditures of all public mo- 
ney, shall be published from time to time. 

No title of nobility shall be g-ranted by the U'nited States ; and 
no person holding- any office of profit or trust under them, shall, 
without the consent of the congress, accept of any present, 
emolument, office, or title of any kind whatever, from any 
king-, prince, or foreign state. 

Sec 10. No state shall enter into any treaty, alliance, or 
confederation ; g-rant letters of marque and reprisal ; coin 
money; emit bills of credit; make any thing- but gold and 
silver coin a tender in payment of debts ; pass any bill of attain- 
der, ex post facto law, or law impairing- the oblig-ation of con- 
tracts; or grant any title of nobility. 

No state shall, without the consent of the congress, lay any 
imposts or duties on imports or exports, except what may be ab- 
solutely necessary for executing its inspection laws ; and the 
net produce of all duties and imposts laid by any state on imports 
or exports, shall be for the use of the treasury of the United 
States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision, and 
control of the congress. No state shall, without the consent 
of congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or ships 
of war, in time of peace, enter into any agreement or com- 
pact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in 
war, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent danger as 
will not admit of delay. 

ARTICLE IT. 

Sec 1. The executive power shall be vested in a president 
of the United States of Am.erica. lie shall hold his office 
during the term of four years, and, together with the vice- 
president, chosen for the same term, be elected as follov.'s. 

Each state shall appoint, in such manner as the legislature 
thereof may direct, a number of electors, equal to the whole 
numberof §pnatorsand representatives to which the state may 
be entitled in the congress ; but no senator or representative, 
or person holding an office of trust or profit under the United 
States, shall be appointed an elector* 

The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote 
by ballot for tvvo persons, of whom one at least shall not be an 
inhabitant of the same state with themselves. « And they shall 
make a li&t of all the persons voted for, an-d of the number of 
votes for each ; which list they shall sign and certify, and trans- 
mit sealed to the seat of government of the United States, 
directed to the president of the senate. The president of the 
senate sijali, in the presence of the senate and house of repre- 
sentatives, open all the certificates, and the votes sliall then be 
counted. The person having the greatest number of votes 
shall be the president, if suc|i number be a majority of the 



APPENDIX. 197 

whole number of electors appointed ; and if there be more than 
one who have such majority, and have an equal number of 
votes, then the house of representatives shall immediately 
choose by ballot one of them for president ; and if no person 
have a majority, then from the five highest on the list the said 
house shall in like manner choose the president. But in choosing 
the president, the votes shall be taken by states, the repre- 
sentation from each state having- one vote ; a quorum for this 
purpose shall consist of a member or members from two thirds 
of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary 
to a choice. In every case, after the choice of a president, 
the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors 
shall be the vice-president. But if there should remain two 
or more who have equal votes, the senate shall choose from 
them by ballot the vice-president. 

The congress may determine the time of choosing the elec' 
tors, and the day on which thej' shall give their votes ; which 
day shall be the same throughout the United States. 

No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the 
United States at the time of the adoption of this constitution, 
shall be eligible to the office of president ; neither shall any 
person be eligible to that office, who shall not have attained to 
the age of thirty five years, and been fourteen years a resi- 
dent within the United States. 

In case of the removal of the president from office, or of 
his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and 
duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the vice- 
president, and the congress may by law provide for the case of 
removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the president 
and vice-president, declaring what officer shall then act as pre- 
sident, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disabihty 
be removed, or a president shall be elected. 

The president shall, at stated times, receive for his services, 
a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor dimin- 
ished during the period for which he shall have been elected, 
and he shall not receive within that period any other emolu- 
ment from the United States, or any of them. 

Before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take 
the following oath or affirmation : 

" I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully exe- 
•* cute the office of president of the United States, and will, to 
" the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the con- 
"stitution of the United States." 

Sec. 2. The president shall be commander-in-chief of the 
army and navy of the United States, and of the militia of the 
several states when called into the actual service of the United 
States; he may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal 
oflScer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject 
relating to the duties of their respective offices, and he shall have 
17* 



198 APPPtNDIX. 

power J grant reprieves and pardons for offences a^inst th« 
4Jnitea States, except incases of impeachment. 

He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of 
the senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds o/ the senators 
present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the 
:wdvice and consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, 
otherpublic ministers,and consuls, judg-es of the supreme court, 
and all other officers of the United States, whose appointment*, 
are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall hi 
established by law. But the cong-ress may by law vest ti/a 
appointment of such inferior otScers as they think proper, in 
the president alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of 
departments. 

The president shall have power to fill up all vacancies that 
may happen during- the recess of the senate, by granting- com- 
missions wliicli shall expire at the end of their next session. 

Sec. 3. He shall from time to time g-ive the cong-ress infor- 
mation of the state of the Union, and recommanJ to their con- 
sideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and ex- 
pedient; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both 
bouses, or either of them, and in case of disagreement between 
them, witlj respect to the timeof adjournment, he may adjourn 
them to such time as he shall think proper: he shall receive 
ambassadors and other public ministers; he shall take care 
that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall commission all 
the officers of the United States. 

Sec. 4. The president, vice-president, and all civil officers 
of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeach- 
ment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high 
crimes and misdemeanors. 

ARTICLE III. 

Sec. 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be 
vested in one supreme court, and in such inferior courts as the 
congress may f-om time to time ordain and establish. The 
judges, both of the supreme and inferior courts, shall hold their 
offices during good behaviour, and shall, at stated times, receive 
for their services a compensation, which shall not be diminished 
during their continunnce in office. 

Sec 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases in law 
and equity, arising under this constitution, the laws of the 
United S'ates, and treaties made, or which shall be made, under 
ttieir authority ; to all cases affecting ambassadors, other public 
ministers and consuls; to all cases of admiralty and maritime 

i'urisdiction ; to controversies to which the United States shall 
e a party ; to controversies between two or more states, be- 
tween a state and citizens of another state, between citizens 
of different states, between citizens of the same state, claiming 
Jands under grants of different states, and between a state, or 
tiie citizens thereof, and foreign states, citizens or subjects^ 



APPENDIX. 190 

In all cases affecting- ambassadors, other public ministers and 
consuls, and those in which a state shall be a party, the supreme 
court shall have original junsdictiou. In all the other cases 
before mentioned, the supreme court shall have appellate 
jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, with such exceptions, 
and under such reg-ulations as the congress shall make. 

The trial of all crinries, except in cases of impeachment, 
shall be by jury ; and such trial shall be held in the state 
where the said crhnes shall have been cominilted ; but when 
not committed within any state, the trial shall be at such 
place or places as the congress may by law have directed. 

Sec 3. Treason against tlie United Slates, shall consist only 
in levying war against them, or m adhering to their enemies, 
giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted 
of treason, unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the 
same overt act, or on confession in open court. 

The congress shall have power to declare the punishment 
of treason ; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption 
of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person at- 
tainted. 

ARTICLE IV. 

Sec 1. Full faith and credit shall be given, in each state to 
the public acts, records and judicial proceedings, of every 
other state. And the congress, may, by general lan^s, prescribe 
the manner in which such acts, records, '^nd proceedings, shall 
be proved, and the efTects thereof. 

Sec 2. The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all 
privileges and immunities of citizens in the several states. 

A person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other 
crime, who shall flee frotn justice, and be found in another 
state, shall, on demand of the executive authority of the state 
from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the 
state having jurisdiction of the crime. 

No person held to service cr labour, in one state, under the 
laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of 
any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service 
or labour; but shall be delivered up, on claim of the party to 
whom such service or labour may be due. 

Sec 3. New states may be admitted by the congress inte 
this Union ; but no new state shall be formed or erected withia 
the jurisdiction of any other state, nor any state be formed 
by the junction of two or more states, or parts of states, with- 
out the consent of the legislature of the states concerned, a« 
well as of the congress. 

The congress shall have power to dispose of, and make aH 
needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other 
property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this 
constitution shall be so construed as to prejudice any claim* 
of the United States, or of any particular state. 



200 APPENDIX. 

Sec. 4. The United States shall guaranty to every state in 
this union a republican form of government, and shall protect 
each of them against invasion ; and, on application of the le- 
g'islature, or of the executive, (when the legislature cannot be 
convened, against domestic violence. 
ARTICLE V 

The congress, whenever two-thirds of both houses shall 
deem it necessarj'^, shall propose amendments to this constitu- 
tion, or on the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of 
the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amend- 
ments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and 
purposes, as part of this constitution, when ratified by the le- 
gislatures of three-fourths of the several states, or by conven- 
tions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of 
ratification may be proposed by the congress ; Provided, that 
no amendment which may be made prior to the year one 
thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect 
the first and fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first ar- 
ticle ; and that no state, without its consent, shall be deprived 
of its equal suffrage in the senate. 

ARTICIiE VI. 

All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before 
the adoption of this constitution, shall be as valid against the 
United States under this constitution, as under the confcde- 
3*ation. 

This constitution, and the laws of the United States which 
Bhall be made in pursuance thereof ; and all treaties made, or 
which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, 
shall be the supreme law of the land ; and the judges in every 
state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or 
laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. 

The senators and representatives before mentioned, and the 
members of the several state legislatures, and all executive 
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the se- 
veral states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support 
this constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required 
as a qualification to any office or public trust under the Uni- 
ted States. 



APPENDIX. 



201 



ARTICLE Vir. 

The ratification of the cooventions of nine states, shall be 
sufficient for the establishment of this constitution between 
the states so ratifying^ the same. 

Done in Convention, by the unanimous consent of the states 
present, the seventeenth day of September, in the year of 
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eig'hty-seven, and 
of the Independence of the United States of America the 
twelfth. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed 
our names. 

GEORGE WASHINGTON, 

President^ and deputy from Virginia. 



NEW-HAMPSHIRE. 

John Langdon, 
Nicholas Gilman. 

CONNECTICUT. 

William Sam'l Johnson, 
Roger Sherman. 

NEW-YORK. 

Alexander Hamilton. 

NEW-JERSEY. 

William Livingston, 
David Brearly, 
William Patterson, 
Jonathan Dayton. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

Benjamin Franklin, 
Thomas Mifflin, 
Robert Morris, 
George Clymer, 
Thomas Fitzsimons, 
Jared Ingersoll, 
James Wilson, 
Governeur Morris. 

DELAWARE. 

George Read, 
Gunning Bedford, Jun. 

MesU 



MASSACHUSETS. 

Nathaniel Gorham, 
Rufus King, 
John Dickinson, 
Richard Bassett, 
Jacob Broom. 

MARYLAND. 

James M' Henry, 

Daniel of St. Tho. Jenifen, 

Daniel Carroll. 

VIRGINIA. 

John Blair, 

James Madison, Jun. 

NORTH-CAROLINA. 

William Blount, 
Richard Dobbs Spaight, 
Hugh Williamson. 

SOUTH-CAROLINA. 

John Rutledge, 
Charles C. Pinckney, 
Pierce Butler. 

GEORGIA. 

William Few, 
Abraham Baldwin. 

William Jackson, Secretary . 



20® APPENDIX, 

AMENDMENTS 



TO THE 



CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Since the adoption of the foregoing constitution, the 
following amendments iiave been made, and ratified by 
the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states in 
tlie union : 



ARTICLE T. 

Congress shall make no lavr respecting- an establishment of 
rehgion, or prohibiting- the free exercise thereof; or abridfjmg 
the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the peo- 
ple peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for 
a redress of grievances- 

ARTICLE IL 

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of 
a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall 
not be infringed. 

ARTICLE TIL 

No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, 
without the consent of the owner ; nor in time of war, but in a 
manner to be prescribed by law. 

ARTICLE IV. 

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, hous- 
es, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seiz- 
ures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but 
upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and 
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the per- 
sons or things to be seized. 

ARTICLE V. 

No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise 
infamous crime, unless on -a presentment or indictment of a 
grand jury; except in cases arising to the land or naval forces, 
or in the militia when in actual service in time of war or pub- 
lic danger; nor shall any person be subject, for the same of- 
fence, to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor sliall be 
compelled in any crim.inal case, to be witness against himself; 
nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due pro- 
cess of law; nor shall private property be taken for pubhc 
•66, without just compensation. 



APPENDIX. 203 

ARTICLE VI. 

In all criminal prosecutions, (he accused sball enjoy the 
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the 
state and district wherein the crime s!i:ji1 have been commit- 
ted, which district shall have been previously ascertained b/ 
law, and to be informed of tlie nature and cause of the accusa- 
tion ; to be confronted with the witnesses aj^-ainst him ; to have 
:. compulsory process for obtaining- witfiesses in his favour, aud 
|-to have the assistance of counsel for his defence. 
!* ARTICl<E VII. 

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shaM 
exceed twenty di)llars, the riGcht of trial by jury shall be pre- 
served, and no fact, tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-ex- 
amined in any court of the United States, than according to 
the rales of the common law. 

ARTICLE VIIL 
Excessive hail shall not be required, nor excessive fines im- 
posed, uor cruel and unu'^ual punishments inflicted. 
ARTICLE IX. 
The enumeration, in the constitution, of certain rig-hts, shaH 
not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the 
people. 

ARTICLK X. 
The powers not dele9;-atcd to the United States by the consti- 
tution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to th« 
States respectivelv, or to the people. 

ARTICLE XI. 
Thejudicial power of the United States shall not be construed 
to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecu- 
ted ag-ainst one of the United States, by citizens of another 
state, or by citiz.ens or suhjects of any foreign state. 
ARTICLE Xil. 
The electors shall meet in their respective states, and vote 
by ballot ibr president and vice-president, one of whom, at 
least, shall not he an inhabitant of the same state with them- 
; selves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as 
■ president, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as vice- 
president; and they shall make distinct lists of all persons vo- 
ted for as president, and of all persons voted for as vice-presi- 
dent, and of the number of votes for each, which list they shatt 
sii*'n and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of government 
of the United States, directed to the president of the senate; 
the president of the senate shall, in the presence of the senate 
and house of representatives, open all the certificates, and the 
rotes shall then be counted : the person having the greatest 
number of votes for president, shall be the president, if suck 



204 APPENDIX. 

Dumber be a majority of the whole number of electors ap- 
pointed ; and if no person have such majority, then from the 
persons having- the hig-hest numbers, not exceeding- three, on 
the list of (hose voted for as president, the house of represen- 
tatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the president. But 
in choosing- the president, the votes shall be taken by states, 
the representation from each state having- one vote : a quorum 
for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from 
two thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall 
be necessary to a choice. And if the house of representatives 
shall not choobe a president, whenever the rig-ht of choice 
shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next 
following-, then the vice-president shall act as president, as in 
the case of the death, or other constitutional disability, of the 
president. 

The person having- the greatest number of votes as vice- 
president, shall be the vice-president, if such number be a 
majority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if no 
person have a majority, then from the two hig-hest numbers 
on the list, the senate shall choose the vice-president : a quo- 
rum for the purpose shall consist of two thirds of the whole 
number of senators, and a majority of the whole number shall 
be necessary to a choice. 

But no person constitutionally inelig-ible to the office of pre- 
sident, shall be elig-ible to that of vice-president of the United 
States. 

ARTICLE XIII. 

If any citizen of the United States shall accept, claim, re- ' 
ceive, or retain any title of nobility or honour, or shall, without 
the consent of cong-ress, accept and retain any present, pen- 
sion, office, or emolument of any kind whatever, from any 
emperor, king, prince, or foreign power, such person shall 
cease to be a citizen of the United States, and. shall be inca- 
pable of holding any office of trust or profit under them, or 
either of them. 

FINIS. 






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